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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


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U_    11.6 


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Hiotographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14S80 

(716)  873-4503 


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Us 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHM/ICMH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  institute  for  Historical  Microreproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreproductions  historiques 


\ 


\ 


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Tschnical  and  Bibliographic  Notet/^ot•s  tachniquas  at  bibliographiquaa 


Tha  institute  has  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  bast 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturas  of  this 
copy  which  may  ba  bibliographically  uniqua. 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagas  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  changa 
tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


□    Colourad  covars/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 

□    Covars  damaged/ 
Couvortura  andommagte 

□    Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaur^  at/ou  palliculie 


n 
□ 
n 


D 


Cover  title  missing/ 

Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


Colourad  maps/ 

Cartes  gAographiques  en  couleur 


Coloured  ink  (i.e. 
Encre  de  couleur 


other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
(i.e.  autre  que  blaua  ou  noiral 


Colourad  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relii  avac  d'autras  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrie  paut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  da  la 
diatorsion  le  long  de  la  marge  intAnoure 

Blank  leaves  edded  during  restoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certainaa  pages  blanches  ajoutias 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissant  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  «tait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  M  filmAes. 


L'Institut  a  microfilm^  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'il  lui  a  iti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  ditailn 
da  cat  exemplaire  qui  sont  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normals  de  fiimage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


□   Coloured  pages/ 
Pages  de  couleur 


Tl 
ta 


0 
D 


Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagias 

Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurias  et/ou  pelliculies 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 
Pages  dicolories.  tachat^es  ou  piquAes 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditach^es 

Showthrough/ 
Transparence 

Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  inigala  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  material/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplimentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  disponible 


Tl 

P' 
o 
fi 


G 
b 
tl 

si 
o 

fi 

Si 

o 


D 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
slips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partieilement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  iti  fiim^es  A  nouveau  de  fa^on  A 
obtenir  la  meilleure  image  possible. 


Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentairas; 


Title  page  damaged. 


This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  filmi  au  taux  de  rMuction  indiquA  ci-dessous 

18X 


10X 


14X 


^ 


22X 

26X 

30X 

12X 


16X 


20X 


24X 


28X 


32X 


Th«  copy  filmad  h«r«  has  bMn  r«produc«d  thank* 
to  tha  ganaroaity  of: 


L'axamplaira  film*  fut  raproduit  g^lca  i  la 
gAnAroait*  da: 


New  Brunswick  Muteum 
Saint  John 

Tha  imagaa  appaaring  hara  ara  tha  baat  quality 
poaaibia  conaidaring  tha  condition  and  iagibility 
of  tha  original  copy  and  In  kaaping  with  tha 
filming  contract  spacificationa. 


Original  copiaa  in  printad  papar  covara  ara  fllmad 
baglnning  with  tha  front  eovar  and  anding  on 
tha  last  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impraa- 
sion.  or  tha  back  covar  whan  appropriata.  All 
othar  original  copiaa  ara  fllmad  baglnning  on  tha 
first  paga  with  a  printad  or  illuatratad  impras- 
slon,  and  anding  on  tha  laat  paga  with  a  printad 
or  illuatratad  impraaaion. 


Tha  laat  racordad  frama  on  aach  microficha 
shall  contain  tha  symbol  — ^  (moaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  tha  symbol  ▼  (moaning  "END"), 
whichavar  appliaa. 

Mapa.  platas,  charta,  ate,  may  ba  filmao  at 
diffarant  raduction  ratios.  Thoaa  too  larga  to  ba 
antiraly  includad  In  ona  axpoaura  ara  fllmad 
baglnning  in  tha  uppar  laft  hand  cornar,  laft  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framas  aa 
raquirad.  Tha  following  diagrama  illuatrata  tha 
mathod: 


New  Brunswick  Museum 
Saint  John 

Laa  imagaa  suivantaa  ont  4t*  raproduit«a  avac  la 
plua  grand  soin,  eompta  tanu  da  la  condition  at 
da  la  nattat*  da  I'axampialra  film*,  at  an 
conformit*  avac  laa  conditiona  du  eontrat  da 
filmaga. 

Laa  axamplalraa  originaux  dont  la  couvartura  an 
papiar  aat  imprimia  sent  filmis  an  commandant 
par  la  pramiar  plat  at  an  tarminant  soit  par  la 
darniAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'impraasion  ou  d'lliustration.  soit  par  la  sacond 
plat,  salon  la  caa.  Toua  laa  autras  axamplalraa 
originaux  sont  filmte  an  commandant  par  la 
pramlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  amprainta 
d'Impraaalon  ou  d'iiluatration  at  an  tarminant  par 
la  darnlAra  paga  qui  comporta  una  talla 
amprainta. 

Un  daa  symbolaa  suivanta  apparattra  sur  la 
darni*ra  Imaga  da  chaqua  microficha,  salon  la 
caa:  la  symbola  — »>  signifia  "A  SUIVRE",  la 
symbols  ▼  signifia  "FIN". 

Laa  cartaa,  planchas,  tablaaux,  ate,  pauvant  Atra 
filmia  *  daa  taux  da  reduction  diff«rants. 
Loraqua  la  documant  aat  trop  grand  pour  Atra 
raproduit  an  un  saui  clichA,  il  aat  film*  A  partir 
da  I'angia  supAriaur  gaucha,  da  gaucha  h  droita, 
at  do  haut  an  baa,  an  pranant  la  nombra 
d'Imagas  nAcaasaira.  Laa  diagrammas  suivanta 
illuatrant  la  mAthoda. 


32X 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

DLLECTION  I 


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HI  ST  OR 

OP  THE 

ynding  df  m^  Forefathers' 

AT  PLYMOUTH,    . 

^ANDOF  THEIR  MOST  REi^llA  Bl» 

Mngagements  wkh  ihetndmf^ 


IN  NEW.ENGr.AN0 


From  their  firat  landing  in  1630,  untP  fhe*ina!  £u'  "^t!^ 
tioa  of  the  Natives  in  i6r?»  "*  li 

TO  WHICH  IS  ANNEXED,  TH«  DF.FEAT  e^?^** 
Br  THE  INDIANS  AT  TflK  w^ll^RD.  J«^ 


BY  HENRY  TRUfllli^  l|^^ 


pvj..     *        ^^   vj  «    vy   1  C  Hs  i  i 


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?>(*« 


DISTRICT  OF  CONNECTICUT,  t&wht 

BE  IT  REMfiMBERKD,     That  Oft  %he  twenty-fourth  dt^ 
ofDecembett  in  the  tkirty-jijth  year   of  the  Indepentt. 
ence  of  the  Unged  States  of  America^  HENRY  TRUM- 
BULL, of  th^id  District,  hath  deposited  in  this  Office 
the  title  of  a  booA,  the  right  whereof  he  claims  as  author^ 
in  the  words  following,  to  wit :— ."  History  of  the  Discover 
ry  ofHmerico-^of  the  Landing  of  our  Forefathers  at  Ply- 
mottthj  and  of  their  most  remarkable  engagements  with  the 
SrJiatts,  in  New-England,  from  their  frst  landing  in  1620, 
|Rtf/7  the  final  subjugation  of  the  natives  in  )679<^»o  which 
is  aimxcdy  the  D^eat  of  Generals  Braddock,  Harmer  and 
Qair,  by  the  Indians  at  the  Westward,  Hfc;^ 
^hfomityto  the  act  of  the  Congress^  of  the  United 
.et^itled  <♦  An  Act  for  the  encouragemerd  of  learningt 
frtng   the  copies  of  maps,  charts,  and  bpoks,  to  the 
^i  proprietors  of  such  copies,  during  the  times  therti* 

#  "^       iL  Wn  EDWARDS,  Clerk  of  the  district  tg  Qmcjiticult. 


*•% 


\ 


DISCOVERr  OF  AMERICA^ 

BY 

CHRISTOPHER  COLUMBUS. 


•1 


:'  V 


M. 


lANKIND  owe  the  discoTerfof  the  western  world 
to  the  gold,  the  silver,  the  precious  stones,  the  spices, 
silks,  and  costly  manufactures  of  the  East;  and  6vc» 
these  incentives  were  for  a  considerable  time,  insumcient 
to  prompt  to  the  undertaking,  although  tbe  tg|^  skilful 
navigator  of  the  age  proffered  to  risk  hisli^  in  Ae  at- 
tempt* 

Christopher  Columbus,  who  was  destinect  to  thj 
high  honor  of  revealing  a  new  hemisphere  to  Europe* 
•ns,  was  by  birth  a  Genoese,  who  had  been  e«rlytf4a^ 
cd  to  a  seafaring  life,  and,  having  acquired  every  brai^cfc 
of  knowledge  connected  with  that  professioft,  Was  no  i^g 
distinguished  by  his  skill  and  abilities,  than  for liiafn^' 
pid  and  persevering  spirit;^ThU  man,  whea  ^hynf^^^ 
years  of  age,  had  formed  the  great  idt^t  of  >  en£^  * 
the  Eastlndies  by  sailing  westward  ;  b^,  as  hijr  ^t 

•was very  small,  and  theauerapt  reqtttt-e#f'*    *  *  ' 
patronage,  desirous  that  his  native  couritt^ 

by  his  success,  he  laid  his  plan  before  the  s 

noa,  but  the  scheme  appearing  obimerk^^  it 

ed.— 'He  then  repaired  to  the  court 

though  the  Portuguese  were  at  that 

for  their  ^mmercial  spirit,  and  JoHiri 

edj  was  a  discerning  and  ent«|>ri^ 

jMrcpossefcsions  of  the  great  mti  m  h 


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r*-'  ■*. 


S' 


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the  natter  was  referred,  caused  Columbus  finally  «o  fell 
in  bis  attempt  there  also.  He  next  applied  to  Ferdi- 
^A)tli  and  IsABiLLA,  king  and  queen  of  Arrogpn  and 
Castile,  and  at  the  same  tftne  sent  his  brother  Barthol- 
OMKW  (who  followed  the  same  prof|s8ion  ;  and  who  waa 
well  qualified  to  fill  the  immediate  place  under  such  a 
leader)  to  England,  to  lay  the  proposal  before  Hevrt 
VII.  which  likewise,  very  fortunately  for  the  future  well 
being  of  the  countryj  met  with  no  success.— -Many  were 
the  years  which  Christopher  Columbus  spent  in  inef- 
fectual attendance  at  the  Castillian  court ;  the  impoverr 
ished  state  into  which  the  finances  of  the  united  king- 
doms were  reduced,  the  war  with  Qranada,  repressing 
CTcry  disposition  to  attempt  to  great  designs  ;  but  the 
var  being  at  length  terminated,  the  pdwerful  mind  of 
ISABELLA  broke  through  all  obstacles  ;  she  declared  her. 
it^the  patroness  of  Columbus,  whilst  her  husband  Fer. 
_  I^Aup,  declining  to  partake  as  an  adventurer,  in  the 
Voyage,  only  gave  it  the  sanction  of  his  name.  Thus 
dl^'1«ie  superior  genius  of  a  women  efiect  the  discovery 
cfone  half  the  Globe!  • 

The  ships  sent  on  this  important  search  were  only 
th'.ee  in  number,  two  of  them  very  small :  they  had  nine-  . 
ly  men  on  board.     Although  the  expence  of  the  expedi- 
tion had  long  remained  the  sole  obstacle  tq  its  being  yn- 
dbrtakcn,  yet,  when  every  thing  was  provided,  the  cost 

^ijtoof  aniount  to  more  Uvp.n  17,760  dollars,  and  there 
#i^1^elve  months  provisions  put  on  board* 
i-t^uLUMBus  set  sail  from  port  Palos,  in  the  province  of 
AndMusia,  on  the  3d  of  Aiigprf^,  1492  :  he  proceeded  tq 
fhe  Cann&ry  Ulands,  and  from  t^ce  directed  his  course 
nue  W.  in  the  latitude  of  about  ^N.^tn  this  course  he 
caB^R»sd  for  two  monlhs,  withoo|  falling  in  with  any 
Imit,  which  caustd  &ui;li  a  boirit  of  discontent  and  mii^ 

^i;,"^  arise  m  the  superior  address  and  manageniem*<if 

w  ^^  ,  .  -.• 


\ 


^«^ 


Ih^  coflUbancfer  became  unequal  (0  suppressj  altbougb^ 
for  these  qualities  he  was  etninently  distinguished*— 'He 
llras  at  length  reduced  to  the  necessity  of  entering  into  a 
aolemn  engagement  to  abandon«the  enterprise  and  return 
home,  if  land  did  notjppear  in  three  days.— Probably  b« 
would  not  have  bec^  able  to  retain  his  people  so  long 
.  from  acts  of  violence  and  outrage,  in  pursuing  so  untri- 
ed and  dreary  a  course,  had  they  not  been  sensible  that 
their  safety  in  returning  home,  depended  very  much  on 
Ills  skill  as  a  navigator,  in  conducting  the  vessel. 

At  length  the  appearance  of  land  changed  their  des- 
pondency to  the  most  exulting  rapture.— .It  was  an  iskoiEl 
abounding  with  inhabitants,  both  sexes  of  which  Were 
quite  naked  ;  their  manners  kind,  gentle,  and  unsuspect- 
ing.—.Columbia  named  it  San  Salvador  :  it  is  one  of  the 
cluster  which  bears  the  general  name  of  Bahamia  ;  i%||^ 
only  so  30  lat.  to  the  S.  of  the  island  of  Gomora,  o^| 
the  Canaries,  fronf  whence  he  look  his  departure.  T^ 
liavigator  was  still  so  confirmed  in  the  opinion  which  h*; 
had  formed  before  he  undertook  the  voyage,  that  he.b> 
lieved  himstlf  then  10  be  oh  an  island  which  was  siluatii 
adjacent  tothe  Indies.— Proceeding  to  the^L  be  ww,:M*rct, 
pther  islands,  which  he  named  St.  Mli^;^  '^  ^  ' 
tion,  Ferdinand  and  Isabella— At  ien^plfe  arr^^i 
very  large  island,  and  as  he  bad  taken  seven  •! 
lives  of  San  Salfiiii' onboard,  he  learned  from 
"'was  called  Cub%  but  he  gave  ii  the  bame  of  J 
He  next  prooiidel  to  an  isl^d  wbfciii 
nola,  in  honor  of  the  kingdorttlby  11  ' 
pd,  and  it  still  bears  the  tiame  of  H 
*t>uiit  a  fort  and  forna^  a  small  set 
turned  home,  1ia||ngfi  board  some 
lie  had  taken  from  i^e  different  island^ 
%i}ihern  course,  he  ieli  in  with  sott)tC^„,^ 
Mimds^  and  arrived  at  the  Pert  of  Fid^^ 


*        ^ 


mi 


'S^hm,;nmimikait^ 


.irtmiBiwi^Miw*? 


./' 


,/ 


^•fc!.,  im  hawfbeen  seven  month,  indelmnday. 
on  thii  most  important  voyage.  ^* 

On  hi«  arrival  letter,  patent  were  issued  by  the  king 
•nd  queen  conarmmg  to  Columbus  and  to  his  heirs  aS 
the  pnv,Icges  contained  in  a  capitulation  which  had  been 
executed  before  his  departure,  ancf  hi.  family  was  en„o. 

ron^lr^I't^***"'"^'' **"'"'*  ***»*«'  nation,  of  Eu. 
rope,  seem  to  have  adopted  the  opinion  of  Columbus 
.n  con«.denng  the  countries  which  he  had  discovered  a. 
.par  of  Ind.a.^Whence  Fehb.k.kb  and  IsaaKL" 
gave  them  the  name  u  Mes"  in  the  ratification  of  their 
former  agreement  with  CoLUM.us.-Even  after  the  Z 
ror  was  detected    the  name  was  retained,  and  the  appel- 

*^  mZV^'Vf'''''  "  "-'^  given  by  all  Europe  t, 
.  thh  country,  .nd  that  of  Indians  to  the  inhabitants. 

Nothmg  could  possibly  tend  more  effectually  to  rouse 
•very  actwe  principle  of  human  nature,  than  thediscove 
r.cs  whfch  Columbus  had  made  ;  „o  time  was  therefore 
o«    nor  expence  spared,  in  preparing   a  fleet  of  ships, 
*.tb  Which  :b,s  great  man  should   revisit  ^le  countrie. 
he  had  made  known—Seventeen  ships  were  got  ready 
in  MX  months,  and  fifteen  hundred  persons  embarked  on 
^cl  tht^m,  among  whom  were  many  of  noble  famiiies. 
«wbo  had  filled  honorable  stations.^Tbese  engaged 
toUe  enterpriae  from  the  expectation  that  the  new  dia- 
ea^d  country  was  either  the  Cipango  of  Marco  Paulo, 
or  ihe^htr  from  which  Solomon   obtained   his  gold 
aN  preJSous  merchandize.    Firdinand,  now  desiJou. 

^r'^'!^'^^^  ^"^  ^""^  ^'^''^  »*"«  "»^'"'"e  to  venture 
11**'"'''^'  ^PP"**^  *°  »*»«  P«P«  to  be  invested  with 
V^lfei'v!'"* '"'^^  discovered  ijnmries,  as  well  as  to 
.H  Nipt  fiscovcries  in  that  direction  J  but  as  itwasnc 
€^ssury  tb^  there  shouid  be  some  favor  of  religion  in  th? 
?si:?5i,  h«.  ibuadea  his  pk^  on  a  desire  of  converting 


rtewrtge  natiro  to  the  nomithA  which  i.l.»  ».j 
•IB  desired  effect.  ^^  ^ 

AtK;t»i,»„  VI.  .ho  then  filled  the  p.p.i  'ci,.!,   =, 
•ugh.  to  be  mentioned,  «w  ,he  mo.,  proai«.e  .^T  II.^ 
,doned  of  men :  being  ,  „a,lve  of  ArCn  ^  ^    • 
of  conciliating  the  favor  of  Febo»I2  l^J"'"^* 
of  .ggranai.ng  hi.  famil,,  He  r.Sri:::t,  Z^, 

.towed  on  F.an,»./„  and  C;,.''r.    .'r,"'*-- 
inea  inhabited  by  infidels,   which  theV  h.H  i-  J" 

Bnt  a.  itjvas  necessary  to-prev;:":  t'hi7g  .ttriM  ;• 

^Il^gTheTpp^Xra'^-  -"-  "--"-r 

f»m  U  .0  pX  one    «nd  edTeaZT "'tr  "'  *"""• 
of  the  Azores  should  serve  a.Tl!^?,  k  .  """""' 

In  the  plentitude  of  hi,  ;r,r feudist:.' r. 

me  west  of  it  upon  the  Spaniards.  ^*^ 

Columbus  set  «Aii  nn  l:-  '^ 

^i«.  on  the «::  of 'sc;e:r  !:;r  i"'  r  •''=- 

at  St.  Espagniola  he  l.,V,T  m-  '  *'""'  ''*  ""'»«> 
Spaniard^  »\om  L^h  ^'l  .V,^"'""  '»  «'!'' "«'  -'  "•« 
.ix  in  number.  h.d  been  pu  to  de^rbrf  '*  """'* 
revenge  for  the  inauli.  .Z^    .  "  ""■  '""'""•  '» 

".it  J.-A«er  hrre^rhrr^r  "■""'"• 
«.e.  .ndtpoim  nrhtr'^rD '  <"•"»  «^  %*■ 

•s  Deputy  Governor  in  I,?.!  """*'  '»  <"•**« 

S4.h  of  April.  I«4     "ilea;  ""«•  ^''"-•"  "<.>*    , 

bark,,   tomake  furh-J  °'"'' ""'""'""»''•' 

•W.  voyage  t  J;.  .S^'""'"'"  '»  -'"e  .e«,.^ 
•l.hman/.m3^.lLr?°rf''  ««  -on*^«d  Mfil 

■mynnportMcewceptthei 


lisiie 


■ 

■ 

? 


e  mQia 


Soon  after  h\i  ^j^km  to  Hispanlolai  he  resolvec^  Ui 
inake  war  with  the  wBians,   who  according  to  the  Span- 
iah  historians,  amounted  to  100,000  men ;  these  having 
experienced  every  lawlees  act  cf  violence  from  their  in- 
vaders, were  rendered  extremelf  inveterate,  and  thirsted 
for  revenge}  a  disposition  which  appears  to  have  been 
foreign  from  their  natures.— Having  collected  his  full 
force,  he  attacked  them  by  night,  whilst  they  were  as- 
sembled on  a  wide  plain,  and  obtained  a  most  decisive 
victory,  without  the  loss  of  one  man  on  his  part.— .Be- 
tide the  effect  of  cannon  and  fire  arms,  the  noise  of 
which  was  appalling,  and  their  effect  against  a  nume- 
rous body  of  Indians,  closely  drawn  together,  in  the 
highest    degree  destructives    Columbus    had   brought 
over  with  him  a  small  body  of  cavalry—The  Indians 
who  had  never  before  seen  such  a  creature,  imagined 
the  Spanish  horses  to  be  rational  beingsj  and  that  each 
Vith  its  rider  formed  but  one  animal ;  they  were  aston- 
ished at  their  speed,  and  considered  their  impetuosity 
and  strength  as  irresistible.— In  this  onset  they  had  be- 
fide  another  formidable  enemy  to   terrify   and  destroy 
them  t  a  great  number  of  the  largest  and  fiercest  species 
of  dogs  which  were  then  bred  in    Europe,  had  beea 
>,brought  hiiher,  which,  set  on  by  their  weapons,  with- 
out attempting  resistance,  ihey  fled  with  all  the  speed 
^Which  terror  could  excite— Numbers  were  slain,  and 
more  made  prisoners,  who  were  immediately  consigned 
M  stave ry. 

The  tharKcter  of  Columbus  stands  very  high  in  th© 
estimation  of  mankind ;  he  is  venerated  not  only  as  « 
man  possessing  superior  fortitude,  and  such  a  steady 
perseverance,  as  no  imped! m»nts,  clangers  or  sufferings 
could  shake,  but  as  equally  distinguished  for  piety  and 
virtue.— His  second  son  FsRCiNAND,  who  wrote  thc^H^ 
yi  kia  &tacr,  apologises  for  this  s«T«rity  toward*  ih^m: 

■"   ,^.  ^  ■      . 


'^} 


'  I", 


^^Jfc 


f^ 


eSit 


flvcB,  efh  accotifitorthe  distreag(J|ta(e  into  which  *tn 
toh    y  was  brought :  the  change  of  climate,  and  the  in- 
flispensable  labors  which  were  required  of  men  unac 
tustomed  to  any  exertions,  had  swept  away  great  num- 
bers of  the  ncwseulcrs,  and  the  survivors  were  declin- 
ing dally,  whilsusuch  was  the  irreconcileable  enmity  of 
the  natives,  that  the  most  kind  and  circumspect  conduct 
on  the  part  of  the  Spaniards,  wonld  not  have  been  effec 
tual  to  regain  their  good  will—This  apology  seems  to" 
have  been    generally  adraiiled,  for  all  modern  Writers 
have  bestowed  upon  the  discoverer  of  the  new  world  the 
warmest  commendations  unmixed  with  censure— It  is  an 
Unpleasant  task  to  derogate  from  exalted  merit,  and  to 
impute  a  deliberate  plan  of  cruelty  and  extirpation  to  a 
inan  revered  for  moral  worth;  but., although  a  pert  af- 
fectation of  novel  opinions  could  only  originate  in  weak 
mind.,  and  can  be  countenanced  only  by  such,  yet  a  free 
and  unreserved  scriulny  of  facts,  can  alone  seperate  truth 
from  error,  and .  apportion  the  just  and  intrinsic  de«*e 
of  merit  belonging  to  any  character— That  CoLvmn 
had  formed  the  design  of  waging  offensive  war  agirtnst 
the  Indians,  and  reducing  them  to  slavery,  before  be  en- 
tered upon  h.s  second  voyage,  and,  consequently  befort 
he  was  apprized  of  the  destruction  of  the  people   wfcUi* 
he  had  left  upon  the  island  of  Hispaniola,  may  be  fm^ 
red  fiom  his  proceeding  himself  with  such  a  number  t*" 
fierce  and  powe«|Pul  dogsi  , 

Having  found  the  natives  peaceable  and  well  d%of*4 
lie  bad  no  reason  to  apprehend  that  they  w6^i  <soai. 
mence  unprovoked  hostilities  ;  the  cavalry  whi«h^  y^fe 
over,  whilst  it  tended  to  impress  those  peapfa,^»»^ 
deepest  awe  and  veneration,  was  fully  sufficied*^!^^ 
purity  ofihe  new  colony,  if  the  friendship  ^fl^ 
^-.  x«u  uccn  Binccr^jy  meant  to  be  cultivated  hr^Mm^ 
iwW  C^UUable  deportment ;  but  to  treat  tbcm  as  .a-^pr 

...  ••'  *'«*.^i-  ■ 


p^ 


-.low 

people  wa*  ioconski<nt  vith  t^  vieWs  w^icfr  fed^  tif 
planting  a  colony  ?  foe  aa  tKe  grand  incentive  to  under- 
take  the  distant  voyages  wa»  the  hope  of  acquiring  gold, 
80,  asCoiuMBus  had  soui  some  wora  as  ornamenu  hf 
the  natives,  and  had  bean  informed  that  Oie  moumain- 
ous  parts  of  the  countpy  yielded  that  precious  metal,  he 
had  excited  expectations  in  his  employers,  and  in  the  na- 
Hon  at  large,  which  both  his  interest  and  ambUion  com- 
peUed  him  as  far  as  possiWe  to  realize.-  the  Spaniards 
could  not  obtain  gold  without  the  assistance  of  the  na^ 
tiTes,  and  those  were  so  constitutionally  indolent  that  no 

allurements  ofpresentsorgratiScationa  could  excite  them 
to  Isbor.-To  reaque  himself  therefore  from  disgrace, 
and  ^p  secure  further  support  he  seems  deliberately  to 
haw  dcviiled  a  harmless  race  of  men  to  slaughter  and 
felavsry.— Such  as  survived  (he  massacre  of  that  dreadful 
riay,  and  preserved  their  freedom,  fled  into  the*^ouw. 
tami  and  inaccessible  parts  of  the  island,  which  not  yield- 
ing them  sufficient  means  of  aubsistence,  they  were  com- 
pelh'd  to  obtain  a  portion  of  food  from  their  cruel  pup. 
,  suers,  by  procurii^  gold  dust,  in  order  to  support  life  ; 
» tribute  being  imposed  upon  them  which  was  rigorously 
exactccWThese  wretched  remains  of  a  free  people,  thii* 
driven  from  fruitfulness  and  amenity  ;  compelled  to  la- 
irour  for  the  suppoit  of  life  :  a  prey  to  despondency, 
^bi^  the  recollection  of  their  former  happiness  sharpen- 
ed,  and  which  their  hopeless  situation  rendered  unsup. 
portable,  died  in  great  numbers,  the  innocent,  but  unre- 
vengcd  victims  of  European  avarice.— Such  are  the  facts^ 
which  have  ever  been  admiued,  yet,   strange  contradic 
tion  !-^CoLUMBU8  is  celebrated  for   his  humanity  and 
goodness  I  but  should  he  not  rather  be  considered  as  » 
most  ccitummate   disseiii^ler,  professing  moderation 

mmf  like    most   of  the 
»ry  records,  rcBounciog 


— "^     '!IJ-.--!tlS»5,C« 


I 


Gonquerore  whi^  J 


V 


•♦ 


—11— 

vnry  principle  of  justice  and  humanity  when  they  sto*)- 
ped  the  career  of  his  ambition !— Ferdinand  Colum* 
BUS,  his  son,  and  biogrcipher,  hits  witi)|||f1*eat  address 
covered  the  shame  of  his  %hefr,  wliilaTlhe  admiring 
world  has  been  little  deposed  to  censure  a  man,  the 
splendor  of  whose  actions  so  powerfully  fascinates  and 
iiaz^les. 


0 


LANmNG  OF  OUR  FORE  FATHERS, 
At  PLYMOUTH. 

THE  English,  conducted  by  Johk  Ca||t,  in  the 
fear  1497,  found  the  way  to  North- America  soon  after 
CoLUM9«s  had  successfully  crossed  th«  Atlantic  ;  bat  as 
the  torrents  in  tha(  country  brou^fHit  down  no  ^  jid,  and 
the  Indians  were  not  bedecked  with«ny  costly  ornaments, 
no  attempts  were  made  to  explore  the  country  for  rtRar  a 
century  afte.'  its  discovery.^ — Sir  Francis  Drake,  wh? 
trarersed  the  whole  circumference  of  the  globe  in  one 
< Voyage,  and  in  one  ship,  which  had  miver  been  achieved 
^before,  when  afterward  annoying  the  Spaniards  in  the 
West-Indies,  and  on  the  main,  gained  some  knowi^i 
of  the  eastern  shore  of  the  northern  continent,  »  hcmj 
before  of  the  western  parts  about  the  same  paraHsl:*— 
Sr  Walter  Raijeigh,  however,  was  tlKj  §r»t  navigalor 
who  explored  the  coast,  bestowed  on  it  a  nar^e,  avrJ  at- 
tempted to  settle  a  colony; 

At  that  time  colonization  made  no  part  of  rho  syr^l^tt 
of  government,  so  that  there  were  few  stimuleai^  to«j^^. 
don  a  native  soil  for  the  purpose  of  seeking  po8ses{)|c^  t% 
another  hemisphere.— At  length  a  powerfiil  ^tj[^£ 
|tosC}  stronger  than  the  inBu^Qce  of  kings,  than  tfci^lm 

%  *  -  ■  •*;     ,•    '' 


'■4»«w* 


•\jm 


^"■wtna^.-i/^M.^ 


t 


(I -I 


>■»».»  .ub,.c,r  ever  n^^de'^rof'^^'engine  Which 
,       ff mankind,  «„  .oo„er  «aLd  .„  k  """''J°»«'«  '*«  »a.. 
'"  •«.  proper  force  i,  "^w  L  , "  ■*.""''"'  ""»  "X 
«o  renounce  every  prcenteTl'       '^°  '"^'*'  "'  Poopl' 
"fa  na«ve  «i,/^o,ed  ^  r.^;'''  '-""""  e  love 
.    Md  loaettle  in  ,he  dreary  „iH.'  ""•■/"■•"•  connexion,, 
^  When  England  by ^vL   t ™,'' ' "  """"'  ~'«'-»' 
«»m„ance,,  .hrew<ir.hTpaD^U^I"  »"»"rrence  of  cir. 

*«''  ««m  required  .o  bend   o  1    .•  ".'""««'"*•  of  men 
«•«  cerimonial,.  anda  clrr/^'P''"''  ^-fc™  «» 
S-wming  power,  es,ab"h"V    A.?.    """"  *'"'«•'  "«* 
'"e  Church  of  Rone  ta  co^M     '    "«''  "*•«■«  <■««>» 
«  <ii„en,from  the chu~.    r S*""*"  "meritorious,  J 
«""1.  .hd  an  Offend  !",!'  ^"?'"«>  »«  "eW  to  ^  h. 
•r«e«The  bonir^il     *"""""'' ''»'  "«  «'»  magi,. 
Jf»R.«.pen,ionr  r;t;:';;-'>".7;''"ed  from*: 

""effor.hin.oenergTby'het^*""';""  »'  '«»8.h 
*"  ind  daring  spji,    , '.      """""» "'"«»«  '»o  ar, 

«!«i  "erciaed  all  Tp  ™;.T„"'"  :"'^'""  ™1"'re,; 
it?"  •««diver.i,y  ofTr'      "'*  P"»»"»—Hence 

P>*.-ec<.  and  dllr  nT;f  Cht "'"  r '°  »^^ 

JH!ioni«..  eompoln^'hrrr/V"'  '""'«"««'J  »• 
h.'ing  previou'iy  de<  rained  ,         '  **■■•  «'""'^<». 

''-e.h.yn,ishfbetrdt:o;'hr'  •-"-nr 
«o  lf.e  dictatt.  of  their  ,:„„.  .  '"'"'"P  "^o".  agreeable 
l»Dd.  and  ,.,.,.., .'  .r'.""«'9W«,  emigrated  to  H„i. 


cui  Pi  Leydcft  J  ^hc^^  j^^^ 


cq^! 


"'>~_ 


#^ 


'2^S^^'Si>^mmm.:.-^i-*>>>>^.-<»',»M'..^mmm»4.  ■ 


—18-- 


ginned  to  reside  until  the  year  1620,  Although  the  ee* 
clesiastical  laws  of  Holland  did  not  at  this  time  sanction 
or  condemn  the  principles  of  any  particular  sect  of  chris- 
tians, yet  great  were  the  disadvantages  under  which  the 
emigrants  labored  ;  for  notwithstanding  the  Dutch  gave 
them  a  welcome  reception,  and  mapifested  a  disposition 
to  treat  them  with  great  respect,  they  never  could  be 
prevailed  upon  by  the  former  to  conform  to  their  mode 
of  worship,  or  to  renounce  principles  which  the  English 
conceived  destructive  to  moral  society ;— nor  did  the  em- 
igrants here  succeed  in  other  respects  agreeable  to  their 
views— so  far  from  increasing  their  little  flock  they  found 
that  in  the  course  of  ten  years,  they  had  experienced  m 
diminution  of  more  than  one  half  their  original  number-,*, 
many,  in  consequence  of  the  impoverished  state  of  the 
country,  had  spent  their  estates  and  returned  to  England. 
Hence  it  was  that  the  remaining  few  formed  the  deter- 
mination of  attempting  once  more  to  seek  a  country  bet- 
ter adapted  to  their  pious  purposes,  and  such  as  wouki 
promise  a  more  fruitful  abode  to  their  offspring.  %f 
some  the  unexplored  parts  of  America  was  proposed, 
and  after  a  day  set  apart  for  solemn  humiliation  and  praiae 
to  AiMiGHTT  God,  it  was  resolved  that  a  part  of  the 
church  shpuld  first  emigrate  to  America,  and  if  there 
meeting  with  a  favorable  reception,  should  prepare  ao 
Abode  for  the  remainder. 

They  easily  obtained  a  royal  grant  of  a  very  exten«^ 
tract  of  land  (now  called  New  England)  whither  they  in 
tended  to  repair,  not  to  amass  wealth,  or  to  exterminate 
the  inhabitants,  but  to  subsist  by  industry,  to  purcliase 
security  by  honorable  intercourse  with  the  naiives,  and 
to  acquire  strength  under  the  auspices  of  freedom. 

They  made  a  purchase  of  two  smaU  shins,  shd  etst  iK^ 
^ih  August,  I62q,  having  repaired  to  Pklaoulh  (Engk) 
for  the  purpose,  were  in  readiness  tQ  ciii|aik  j  pr^iou* 


;«,vS ' 


)  ,-■■ 


j'i 


m 


■  ^^.^HvflW"*.-!' 


hi* 


..w»4r 


At  11  A.  M.  with  a  hit  wind  they  «et  Mil    unti  w;i 
ocArM  ,o  .!»,««  their  p,.^  ;„,„  .^^  g*  "'*'^ 

•twly  «hey  »F.re  to.«d  .bout  .t  the  m.t«  of  the  w«y« 
-.he  .hip,  we«  hcerer  enebM  „  ke.p^.,„ ' V^;^ 

Th.?/     ."l  ""''"""S  """«•  «««1  no  longer  «.wo«hr 
.,.b^.do„ed  her.„d  were  «cei,ed  on  bo,r<l  the" VT 
.   °»."»  '"'h  No»e„,ber.  they  ,o   .heir  .^.^reliibfe 
ioy,  dncovered  tan<j,  which  proved  to  be  th..  „f  r 
Cod.  Where  the,  wiS,  m„ch  difficult,  .,«  j.^  foL^''* 
«Kceed,d  in  l.„dics-e.  .oon  ».  J^Z       ,  fe^oZ 
their  hnee.  endTeturned  th«l„i  ,0  the^AlmlBhtv  fc^ 
fMeing  them  to  reach  in  »fe.y  their  W^Teo,^^**'"' 

-But.  ...hough  .her  had  thu',  t  'ir,;;'  t  Ter, 

%!.»,.  .Uhough  they  h«i  been  en.bled  to  fl«  fromt^^ 
accutton,  .0  cro.,  a  wide  and  boi«erio«,  ocean,  wh"  ^J 
l..irrit«..»„  now  •-.ojourner,  in  .  foreigi  „°dl!! 
tra»er„n^  the  broken  end  unwrough.  shore,  of  a  „M 
«nd  unexplored  country  !_,hey  fcund  here  no  friend,  to 
ffelcome  ihetn,  or  honte  to  .heiter  them  from  the  in. 
TTT'  of  an  approaching  winter  -^n   one  side  thev 
beheW  nought  but  .  hid«,u,  and  de»l.te  wildeme,  ,    he 
teon  of  wild  and  verociou.  animal.,  and  ZZ 
•te.bode  of.  race  *f  being,  not  le,s  wild  and  ,«mercU 

'^ocES,  Krtiich  as  far  as  the  eve   emsicl  «*«»^:--    l^  .    i 


"'i^^^Kf  t?!Si! 


Si;*' 


ftflAfaiii 


A(t6r  stcttti&n^  w'uhmueb  difficulty  in  ^iuoterihr  iK 
harbor  m  vrhich  their  ship  could  ride  with  aafttx,  thty 
made  choice  of  ten  of  tho  motl  resolute  of  their  auiim 
.  ber  to  explore  the  |c1^ent  country,  tnd  diacover  if  poi* 
tible  a  more  conrenient  place   ite  their  future  abode; 
who,  on  the  morniBg  of  the  I6tb,  provided  with  a  muak. 
et  each,  set  out  for  this  purpoae— they  had  not  penetr*^ 
ted  the  wooda  abov«  three  nilee  when   ll»cy  diacovered 
«vc  of  the  natives  (which  were  the  first  seen  hy  ihem 
since  Ihcir  arrival)  they  were  cloathed  with  th^^H^^f 
animal*,  and  armed  with  hows  and  arro#a«-.the  EngUth, 
tviih  signs  of  friendship  made  taward  them,    but   were 
no  sooner  discovcfred  hy  the  savages,  than  they,  with  a 
ternble  yell^  fled  with  the  greatest  prccipKancy  :-.night 
approaching,  the  English  erected  a  »malHemporary  en. 
campment  and  a^er  placing  their  sentincJa  retired  t« 
Early  the  ensuini  niornkg  they  coniinoed  their  ^^ 
following  for  a  conaidernble  distance  the  tracts  of  the  .p^ 
Indians  above  mentioned,  in  hopes  thereby  to  disco>*e 
Iheir  babjtalbns  and  obtain  therefrom  a  fresh  supply  of 
provision,  of  which  they  were  much  in  want ;  but  in  im 
they  did  not  fully  succeed^At  about  noon  they;ii?ea 
Wan  extensive  phit  of  cle^r  ground,  near  which  they 
discovered  a  pond  of  fiesh  water,  and  seveivl  antatt  hit. 
locks  of  raised  earth,  which  they  conjectured  td  il*^» 
graves  of  the  Indians— proceeding  a  little  further  i«^t 
they  discovered  a  kirge  quAntlty   of  stubble,  which  \^ 
imagined  to  be  that  of  some  kind  of  Indian  grain  ptcu^ 
Har  to  the  country  ;*they  also  dl$eaycred  a  spot  wheW 
they  suspected  an  Indian  hut  Had  recently  stood,  a.  *:; 
found  nearby  some  planks  curfeus^  wrought  apd  a  im.K 
earthi^rn  pot-proceeding  still  farther  they  ditcotfc4,c*!^|- 
number  more  of  the  litile  hillocks  of  M»hef>  jr^ntii^ 
$«sv^  u^^jOcu,  and  which  they  now  *^fp;  to.  -stti 
tv  tic  tfcie  plMe  of  deposit  t»f  soiasthiBg  m^  thm 


# 


H' 


^m^' 
%■ ' 


m\ 


T— ^ 


,p 


mentioned  .'-it  was  atil)  in  ♦!.  *        ^""^^^  "'^o^* 

».k.  Know,  .,e  dUc.,„,  .^ti;  bl^lj^.  "'""  *"' 

Having  suceeeded  with  .ome  difficulty  in  reaehin*  ,L 

place  from  wliicli  they  .I.M.H  ih..     J'""«cl«neilie 

whom  tbey  Bad  Uftteh  !d  »'.K  .?        '  ""  ''''  ""»« 

0/  «he  grain  which  th«  h!^  f    '.*""""  *  'P'"""» 

«.h  p.rdX  i.T-,::z;Lr:Z''f  "■:'" 

'»™tio„.d,  .ith  which  being  «  much  ..r^" 
termed  iVH«  Plv^..,i.    ■         '  "'''  P'"«d,  ther 

*...ichtbf7iafferb'i:s  rnr^^^^^^  "■t^""  •' 

eluded  to  abide  until  such  .imr^  T  J"*  ""''  ""■ 
«.uld  be  made-the™d  a  ft-  .'  """"  *'"'"'" 
Helen,  to  .heiter  .herfrolihe  wrherT/  ""''  •,■"■ 
by  »u..al  consent  entered   into  71,em„  '  T  """ 

beirgt'.^adlT'"" '"';"■"'"'  '""''^flP,  Which 
»  ursc  read  and  assented  to  bi^  thi*  #»«««i..H 

<d  their  signatures  .-,o  „'?.      '^       ^''"^'  ""'*• 


f\ 


jhaefWrltteti,  the  byal  iubjects  of  orir  dread  iomef^ 
Wng  Jamis,  by  the  grace  of  God,  king  of  Grcat-Britalni 
France  and  Ireland,  and  defender  of  the  faith,  Sec.  hat' 
ing  undertaken  for  the  glory  of  God,  advancement  of  the 
thristlan  faith,  arid  the  honor  of  our  king  and  country, 
a  voyage  to  pldnt  the  first  colony  m  the  northern  parts  of 
Amenca,  do  by  these  presents  solemnly  and  mutually^ 
inthe  presence  of  Gon,  and  one  anmhe^,  covenant  arid 
totnbine  ourselves  together  into  a  civil  body  politic,  for 

TtTjrf "''"'.  '""* ''''  preservation  and  support 
of  the  ends  aforesaid  .-^nd  by  virtue  hertof,  do  enact. 
con«,ute  and  frame  such  just  and  equal  law^  LTnan: 
r^h  hL'1""''!:''^'^***^°'^"^»'  *'°*^«'me  to  time* 

L?hr  '^  '';  «>^°«y-t.nto  which  we  promise  aU 
due  submission  and  obediencc^In  witness  whereof  we 

I7he  m,r','  't^'^''^  ""'  "'^"^"'  «*  New.Plrmo«h> 
«n  the  loih  day  of  December,  A.  D.  lew." 


John  Carver, 
Wilfiam  Bradfordf,  '■ 
Edward  Winslow, 
William  Brewster', 
Isaac  Allerton, 
Miles  Standish, 
Joseph  Fletcher^ 
John  Goodman, 
Samuel  Fuller, 
Christopher  MartiA^ 
William  White, 
Kichard  Warren, 
John  Howland, 
n  Kopkinfs, 

Priest, 
,  Williams^ 
■Winslow, 


John  Aldcrt, 
John  Turner, 
Francis  Eatori, 
James  Cbiltoor 
John  Craxton, 
John  Biliington, 
Kichard  BUteridge, 
George  Soule, 
Edward  Tilley, 
John  Tilley, 
Thomas  Rogers, 
Thomas  Tinker, 
John  Ridgdale,      • 
Edward  Fuller, 
Richard  Clarke, 
Richard  Gac^iner^ 
John  Allertdn, 


~-m- 


s\fiz.ssz^    \  Vij 


'*»v»»«f 


Edward  LieSter, 


«w«t  prtwetded  by  ballot  to  the  km^- 


.* 


••■f\ 


--.law; 
were  Governor  C*i.vER.M«.r.n  ""'  P'^'P"" 

sr.»..,  How.,„;:;tr;"rKr'rr^^ 

embarked  at  10  A.M.  »i  h  . ^j!"  "f"''.''"'" '"''■'J' 
««  deep  bay  of  Cap.  Codlo "  he L:n"*''r'«'""« 
.tey  di,coTered  a  ,.rge  nar,,  rf  j!  Z?'"'""""  ?'" 
who  were  e™p,„,ed  in  00,78  up  a  6.h  ~  "m""'"" 
grampus  i  by  onJer  of  GoveLr  A.  ""'"''''"e  « 
m....  Nmedia-ely  for  .he~b^  ^J";,'^:  ^■'«';."' 
c^tred  by  .h.  Indians,  .ha«  .hek  w  .ra^n  IT"  '"^ 
M»at.,,  de.er.ed  <heir6,h  and&d  »!„?  •  ^       '"  "* 

The  E ,,,  „„,^,  .„,  .or^r.ir<:rr«  r 

^^JZZ  ^T'^V''"  '"'^  "■"=«-' and  fo™.; 

K:rX^eXrr;re,ss'r^^^^^^^ 

key  Were  suddenly  .„.eked  by  a  lal  partv  ofT"""' 

«ate  flight  n,ight  prove  thcirltaLi  7!^^  '^  '"^*" 
mean  Umc  ml  n.  ^!!!.!!^f**»^  «Jei|r^-^n  the 


Mjk. 


'..*-*- 1 


'•«>"- 
*«?>••. 


/  v>;'' 


M 


•*!5?^.^l* 


%jf^i 


Vin 


for  thsir  arms,  which  having  obtained,  Ihe  whole  were 
ordered  to  form  a  close  body  and  proceed  with  moderate 
pace  for  the  boat,  and  if  hard  pushed  by  the  uaiives,  to 
face  about  and  give  then>  the  contents  of  their  muskets  :— 
—the  Indians  perceiving  the  English  retiring,  rushed 
from  their  strong  coverts,  and  were  on  the  point  of  at- 
tacking  them  in  the  rear  with  clubs,  hatchets,  stones,  &c. 
when  they  received  the  fire  of  the  latter,  which  brought 
three  or  four  of  them  to  the  groundr-the  Indians  halted, 
viewed  for  a  few  moments  with  marks  of  aatoai&hment 
and-surprize,  their  wounded  brethren,  and  then  with  one 
general  united  yell  (which  probably  might  have  been 
iieard  at  the  distance  of  three  miles)  fled  in  every  direc- 
tion J^tfais  was  tht  first  engagement  between  the  English 
and  natives  in  N*v).England,  and  probably  the  first  time 
that  the  latter  had  ever  heard  the  report  of  a  musket  I 

The  English  embarked  and  returned  immediately  ,Ap 
Ncw^PIymouth,  having  been  absent  four  days  without 
making  any  important  discoveries.  The  company  dca^ 
pairing  oi  making  any  further  discovery  of  imporMuice 
during  the  winder,  concluded  to  remain  at  their  winter 
quarters  until  the  spring  ensuing.  The  winter  proved 
an  uncommonly  tedious  one,  during  which  a  gre^  toro 
portion  of  the  company  sickened  and  died-unacutJ^bm- 
cd  to  hardship,  and  deprived  of  many  of  the  iiecesaaiitfs 
of  life,  they  fell  victims  to  the  inclemency  of  the  season  ; 
—being  thus  reduced  to  a  veny«mall  number,  tbcy  would 
have  fallen  an  easy  prey  to  iheHayagw,  lu^  the  lawtu- 
(relying  on  the  superiority  of  their  strength)  tjllaplaU 
ihem-but  the  natives  having  by  bitter  c5tperiena4|«Ei|. 
«d  theeiBBCts  of  their  fire-arm valthougMhey  wei^fej^ 
Been  by^til^  English  at  a  distance,  not  on*  of  thei«i«|Jd 
be  P«r«vi^te<^  upon  to  approach  Ib^m  within  gun  ^mm-. 

Ill  about  4J|g.  gnt K  ii/Ik l     t^«.         ;  .  ^f^^^W^ 

"•"-"*«"*'"»  '°*'>  wft^  to  their  great  ti%^' 

J?ri»%^^  Indian  came  boldly  up  to  them  and  ad     lat:* 


1 '  - 

It 

'S 

wl\ 

/ 

B^Ie^ 

^V^' 

them  in  broken  English  l-he  in&rmed  (hem  that  he  hti 
longed  to  an  eastern  part  of  the  country,  and  was  »c^ 
guainted  with  a  number  of  their  countrymen,  who  c^mo 
'  frequently  there  to  procure  fish,  i^id  q(  whom  be  learned 
to  ipeak  their  language; 

This  Indian  proved  very  serviceable  to  the  company, 
in  supplying  them  with  provision,  in  acquainting  tbem 
with  the  state  of  the  country,  the  number  and  »ircngi|> 
of  the  natives,  and  the  nam«  of  their  chief  sachem,  iq 
whom  be  said  the  land  which  they  improved  belonged.*^ 
Ihe  indian  being  dismissed  with   mirny  presents  m^ 
friendly  assurances,  he  the  day  following  returned  ac- 
companied by  the  grand  sachm  (M4S«abo|et}  and  ^ 
number  of  his  chief  men,  to  vbom  the  English  gave  | 
vefcome  reception,  presenting  them  with  many  trioket« 
which  the  native^  esteemed  of  great  value.-^Wiih  Ma^ 
SASQiBT  a  treaty  waa  proposed  and  concluded  the  day  fol- 
lowing, in  which  it  was  stipolated  that  the  English  an4 
fmtivea  were  to  live  amicabfjr  together,  and  tbat  the  latter 
were  to  furnish  the  former  with  provision,  and  to  receivf 
in  pay  therefor  soch  articles  as  the  former  were  willing  t« 
part  with-oto  which  terms  both  parties  continued  ev«|? 
fifter-faithfully  to  adhere. 

In  May  1621,  the  English  pianied  their  Jirst  earn  t^f 
2fevt'EttgIand»^l^  July  following  their  worthy  Governor 
aickened  and  died— .his  death  waa  grealy  lamented  by 
those  of  the  company  who  survived  him,  and  by  whom 
he  was  interred  with  all  possible  solemnity ;  his  loving 
consort  survived  him  but  a  few  weeks.  In  August  the 
company  made  choice  of  Mr.  Williak  BaAPf ojtp,  to 
ftil  the  vacancy  occasioned  by  thedeatll'Qf  Gov*  Caevkb. 
New-England  from  this  period  began  to  be  rapidly 
peop  cd  by  the  Europeans  ;  jo  great  was  the  emigraUoo 
from  the  njoibtr  country,  thai  in  less  than  sixf  earsfroni 
iliv  time  that  the  first  adventurers  landed  mt  NfwFly? 


pUMtht  ihktt  were  itTCD  con»id«rtbI«  towns  buUt  and  i^ 
^led  in  MaitacbuMtti  lod  Plymouth  colonics. 

In  the  sumiufr  of  Ifiaf,  Mr.  Ekpicot,  one  of  tbo 
pngiMl  planters,  was  sent  ov«r  to  begin  a  plantaUoo  at 
Naumlceag,  (now  Salein)-th«  June  following  about  200 
persons,  furnished  with  four  ministers,  came  over  and 
^joined  Mr.  Emdicot's  cobnjr  j  and  the  next  year  they 
^rmed  themselves  into  a  regular  church.  This  was  the 
first  church  gathered  in  Massachusetts,  and  the  second 
in  New  England;  The  church  at  Plymouth  had  been 
gathered  eight  years  before.  In  16^9,  a  large  embarka. 
tion  was  projected  by  the  company  in  EngUnd  j  at  the 
irequest  of  a  nun^ber  of  respectable  gentlemen,  most  of 
whom  afterwards  came  over  to  New-England,  the  gene- 
ral consent  of  the  company  was  obUined,  that  the  gevem^ 
ipent  should  be  transferred  and  settled  in  Massachusetta. 

In  1630,  seventeen  ships  from  diifersnt  ports  in  Eng. 
land  arrived  in  Massachusetts,  with  more  than  1500  pi^i. 
•engers,  among  whom  were  many  persons  of  distinction. 
Incredible  were  the  hardships  they  endured— reduced  to 
p  scanty  pittance  of  provisions,  and  that  of  a  kind  to 
which  they  had  not  been  accustomed,  and  destitute  of 
necessary  accommodations,  numbers  sickened  and  dicdi 
so  that,  before  the  end  of  the  year,  they  lost  200  of 
their  number.  About  this  time  settlements  were  made 
at  Charlestown,  Bostoji,  Dorchester,  Cambridge,  Rojibiii. 
ryi  and  Medford* 

In  the  year  1632  and  1633,  great  additions  weffmadc 
to  the  colony.  Such  was  the  rage  for  emigration  to 
New.England,  that  tiie  king  and  council  thought  Bt  to 
issue  an  order,  February  r,  1^3,  to  prevent  it.  The 
prder  however,  was  not  strictly  obeyed/\,* 

In  1635i  the  foundation  of  a  new  coloi^y'^I^IJai^f  ^q 

4^nne0ticUt«  adioininc'  the  rivf>p    whicK  JiL.*..-    «k-^..-,L 

4l»  H^  i  of  this  river  and  the  coui«|;f  |^c|htj  I^j^i-^ 


* 


^%-    ^R*i 


i 


U  ' 


Sat,  aod  Lord  Brook,  were  thr  proprietor.,  at  the  mouth 
ofstld..,,  .  ion  by  their  dnction  wa  b2  Th^J 
in  honor  to  0«(^m.    wag  rali^^  «.  u      .    ,  *  wnicli 

WM  called  Saybrook  for   —New-H** 
ven  was  settled  aoc.u  after  thi.  k.,jm         r      '"'^'^  "** 

»^tf»av,g„,  .„db.a...orpr.y,  becmel  pI.c.of 
W»^  of  «r  ifcftecuted  forefwher,. 

•  r^!r\.^    ''"'"' '  ""  "«'»".  "J'hough  .her  .t  bZ 
«pp»ared  barmleu  and  »..ii  ^s.™    j  ' 

««i",.  from  u«  „';^  Tn  ";.r^  .""T"  "^  "" 

«r^io»s,f..euuer.h;r„rort';:r.t 

CHAP.  m. 

tOMMENCEMENTOF  HOSTIUTIES 
WITH  THE  NATIVES. 

the  b™er„,*r   '  '"^^«^"<«»"»  "hich  inhabifd 

>.uMrr:::  I'^i^i'^viier" '".  --"■  •» 

cruel,  and  warlike  t,-.     v  ^  ^"'  *  ^""> 

•beEnglUh;  n  ver  li','  .         "f» '""'«'"«  "«mie.  of 

.  .„^,„^  ^„_  _.^-.   wanton  acli  o4  tea** 


-!J4^, 


Wily.-*.In  June,  1634,  they  treacherously  mOrdered  i 
Capt.  Stohi  and  a  Capt.  Nokton,  who  had  been  hmg  ia 
the  habit  of  viniiingthem  occaaonally  to  trade— In  Au. 
gust,   1635,  they  inhumanly  murdered  a  Mr.  Weex» 
and  his  whole  family,   consisting  of  a  wife  and  six  chiU 
dren,  and  soon  nftcr  miuilered  the  wife  and  children  of  • 
Mr.  Williams  rerlding  near  Hartford.— Finding,  how- 
ever, thai  by  their  unprovoked  acta  of  barbarity,  they  had 
enkindh  d  .!>«  resentment  of  the  English  (who,  aroused 
to  a  sense  of  their  danger,   were  making  prepamtion.  to 
exterminate  th.s  cruel  inbe)   the    Pequot.   dt.patched 
messengers  with  g.fts  to  the  governor  of  the  new  colo, 
nies  (the  Hon.  Josiah  WiNSLow)-he  being,  however 
mflexible  in  his  determination  to  revenge  the  dewh.  of 
h.s  fnends,  disminsed  these  messenger.  I^ithoot  «»  to. 
swer-The  Pequots  finding  the   English  resolute  aiid 
determmed,  and   fearing  the  consequence  of  their  re" 
sentment,  th;'  second  time  despatched  messenger,  with 
•  large  quantity  of  roampum  (Indian  money)  as  a  pt^i,? 
to  the  governor  and  council  :  with  whom  the  latter  iiad 
a  considerable  conference,  and   at  length  cwcluJed  • 
peace  on  the  following  term.  :—  «^wcmaea  m 

T     ^u    „        A«TICLES. 

1.    The  Pequots  shall  deliver  uo  to  m*  r.;  v  ^   . 

pf  Connecticut.  'J'ng  within  the  cokmy 

*I.    The  English,  if  disposed  to  traJe  »itl.   . I,     „ 
quo,,,  ,hall^  seated  a.  frfer.d,:  ^   'V  «* 

»^  su;':^:j£:,rr"  r"^ "«"«"  ^-^ 


m 


I, 


i 


SbWi  after  the  coHcluikm  of  pewe  wleh  ih^  v  ^  i^, 
ihc  EngK.h,  to  put  their  fair  prom^C^o  thl .  T  '^''°^*' 
.mailbox  into  the  river,  cm' heTrdeT,  If'^ ^.^^ 
^Ided,  with  the  pretence  of  trade  ,  but  L  gtat  ^ta 
.he  treachery  of  the  natives,  that  after  .uccTJn^L  ft  r 
prom»e»  m  entK^ing  the  cre*r  of  aaid  boat  on Tofe  ihl 
were  by  them,  inhomanly  murdered  '   ^ 

ThePequots  despairing  of  again  deteiying  the  En^ 
lish  in  the  manner  they  had  late  dnn^    /       I        ^ 

rural  enemies  of  the  English  com«..«    !  ^  "■• 

KDrorlonue  ..  to  f.ll  into  their  hanLJ.  A  few  Wr 

»«-e  m  Ih,  mo.,  bra.,!  n.mn.rp«,  ,o  dea  h  •  .r«,3f 
•heir  dying  g«,a»,.        ^        "'  "■""  ""«  ""kicking 

to.h.r™h  !  ^'~"  ""'■"'•'''  "« Indian, wer« 

tetbe  number  of  abou.on.  hundred  and  Bfty,  ,hev  sur- 
rounded and  furiously  attacked  the  fort  at  n.idni»17hT 
.%  yelling  a„d  mimicking  ,H.  dyingVols^f  .«« 
Mb^l  fallen  v,cum.  to  their  bsrbarity:  but  th.  En- 
l..h  being  fortunately  prorided  «i.h  a  pie.e  of  c«nott 
«r  two  caused  their  savage  enemies  to  groan  i„  ZT^, 
•ho,  after  receiving  two  or  three  deadly  fire,  from  th. 

*y  "oTnd'er?""' '"""'  "'^'^''"^  **"•  ''"■' "  ">•«■"• 
■y  wounded  about  twenty  of  their  number  j  the  Knglisl, 
ttti  ained  no  loss  in  the  ,ii.«k.  '         '■"BiOB 

■Ibo  Gorcrnor  and  CancH  ,f  MawwhuMtta  co!^»r. 


^^     ■^.^^.^.^. 


—2s—     ■  , 

iUrmea  at  the  bold  and  daring  cdnJucf  of  the  Peanoif 
«n  .he  SO.h  August  di,pa.ched  Cap,.  Enb.cot"  f  slm 

them,  unlesa  they  should  consent  to  dehver  up  .be  mur. 

Eoghsh  had  sustained.    q.p,.  Ekb.cot  „.s  direCl. .! 
proceed  6rs.  to  Block  Island  (.hen  inhabi.:     J      '  p  ! 

we  ,sl,„d_the  women  and  children  were  to  be  soared 
hence  he  ,.s  .0  proceed  ,0  the  Pequot  con2yX2tZ 

InLn.  ,  ,      """'"'  ='  S'^k-l'land,  about  six.y 

Indians  appeared  on  .he  shore  and  opposed  hisTd.W 

^.s  on  the  island,  in  ^hirUmX  d^d'  Z 
,!lTr  and  about  50  canoes,  when  .hey  Z'Jm 
aarbor.  Cap..  E«d.cot  acquainted  the   enemv  »iih  hu 

«.v.s.„3wampsand,ed,es,inacc;s,ib,err.:;?; 
^  b  "rnt  th'"'"    ""''"  •"'  "'^"  ""  ''•""  ''«"  '"-  '- 


^tv 


';^is^imw' 


\i' 


u 


had  conquered  and  governed  the  natibns  around  tHeri^ 
wuhout  controul-^tbey  viewed  the  English  as  strangers 
and  mere  intruders,  who  had  no  right  to  the  counts 
nor  tocontroul  its  original  proprietors,  independent  prin. 
ces  and  sovereigns-they  had  made  t  atlements  at  Con- 
necticut  without  their  consent,  and  brought  honie  the 
Indian  kings  whom  they  had  conquered,  and  restored  to 
them  their  authority  and  lands— they  had  built  a  forf, 
and  were  making  a  settlement  without  their  approbation 
m  their  very  neighborhood-indeed  they  had  now  pro- 
ceedcd  to  attack  and  ravage  the  country  ;— the  Pequots 
m  consequence  breathed  nothing  but  war  and  revenge  y 
they  were  determined  to  extirpate  or  drive  all  the  Eng. 
l.3h  from  New-England.    For  this  purpose  they  concelv* 
J>d  the  plan  of  uniting  the  Indians    generally    against 
them  j  they  spared  no  art  noi-  pains  to  make  peace  with 
«he  Narragansets,  and  to  engage  them  in  the  war  a- 
gamst  the  English  :  to  whom  they  represented  that  the 
Enghsh,  who  were  merely  foreigners,  were  overspread- 
ing the  country,  and  depriving  the  original  inh|bitant8 
Of  their  ancient  rights  and  possessions ;  that  unleii  ef- 
fectual measures  were  immediately  taken  to  prevent  it, 
they  would  soon  entirely  dispossess  the  original  proprie. 
taffl  and  become  the  lords  of  the  continent  ;  the^  ip^. 
.  cd4hat  by  a  general  combination  they  could  either  de- 
•troy  or  drive  them  from  the  country,  that  there  wouW 
be  no  necessity  of  coming  to  open  battles,  %at  by  kil- 
ling thc.r  cattle,  firing  their  houses,  laying  albushes  on 
the  roads,  m  the  fields,  and  wherever  they  could  sur-  ' 
pnze  and  destrqy   them,  they  might  accomplish  their 
wishers  ;-.they  represented  that  if  the  English  should  ef- 
lect  the  destruction  of  the  Pequots,  they  would  also  soon 
tveatroy    the  Narr^an«ets.     So  just  and    politic  wer« 
these  representatiottli  that  nothing  biit  that  thirst  for  «- 
^enge,  which  inim^  the  sayage  heart,  coufii  have  re. 


— sr- 


\ 


Bisted  their  influence,  indeed  it  is  said  thai  for  some  time 
the  Narrag^ansets  hesitated.  ^ 

The  governor  of  the  colonies,  to  prevent^an  union  be- 
tween these  savage  nations,  and  to  strengtlijen  the  peace 
between  the  Narraganset  Indians  and  the  i^olonies,  dis- 
patched  a  messenger  to  inyitv  Miantinomi^.  their  chief 
sachem,  to  Boston.— The  invitaiion  was  accefjted  by  Mi- 
ANTiNowi,  and  while  at  Boston,  with  the  Gd^vernor  and 
Council  entered  into  a  treaty,  the  subslance\  of  which 
was  as  follows  (viz.)— That  there  should  be  a  firm  peace 
maintained  between  the  English  and  Narragari^sets,  and 
their  posterity  :— That  neither  party  should  make  peace 
l»ith  the  Pequots  without  its  being  first  muiualljAassent- 
ed  to :— That  the  Narrigansets  should  not  harljior  the 
enemies  of  the  English,  but  deliver  up  to  them  suVh  fij- 
gitives  as  should  resort  tp  them  for  safety :— TheV  Eng- 
lish were  to  give  them  notice  when  they  went  out  gainst 
the  Pequots,  and  the  Narraganseis  were  to  Zrnish 
guides.  \ 

In  February,  163r,  the  English  in  Connecticut  c^ony, 
represented  to  the  Governor  and  Council  their  desife  to 
prosecute  more  effectually  the  war  with  the  Pequot8,fwho 
yet  continued  to  exercise  toward  them  the  mtost  wanton 
acts  of  barbarity.-They  represented  that  on  the'lOih 
January,  a  boat  containing  three  of  their  countrymen  was 
attacked  by  the  enemy  as  it  was  proceeding  down  the 
river;  that  the  English  for  some  time  bravely  defended 
themselves,  butwere  at  length  overpowered  by  numbers  ;  , 
that  the  Indians,  when  they  had  succeeded  in  capturihg 
the  boat's  crew,  ripped  them  up  from  the  bottom  of  their 
bellies  to  their  throats,  and  in  like  manner  spht  tl>em 
down  their  backs,  and  thus  mangled  hung  then|^upon 
trees  bj^the  river  s.de  1-ihey  represented  that  the  af&irs 
of  Connecticut  colonv  at  thi«  mQ«w.^^^,-^  .      -„.„__ 

l»y  aspect  J  th^  they  had  suslafei^^^iae^bi  caUio 


■^i*- 


/ 


t 


\ 


^s«^ 


nor  travel  at  home  or  abroad  but  at  the  peril  of  their  lives 

:^Ti'i:r  "'"^^'^^^^^p « -..an.  tih  s 

n.fehi  and  d,y,  to  go  armed  to  their  daily  labours  and  to 
P.erurl":"  """'''"-"'"'  ■""""'S'.  desirous    o 

fore  /umb,/pr:;:dr:.:irr '-  "• '"  '"""«"• 

of  CoZo  ilf     ,         ""''"  "■=  "='■"'«"»  '"""Wtant. 
'  '-°'?''':l'cut  colony,  roused  the  other  colonies  i»  h«r 

-cit' ;::.'"''''•"' '•«'''«"  i»prosee„.i„g.he  ».' 

Jlt^rn    ""''""  *""■*»""  ^«»'  &rwa;a  before 

.S  o  Z:*  '"  ""'"  "•"  ""^  ■"'■S'"  be  enabled  sea! 

litid  -enea^dt.  f        J"*"'  "■'"  """  "'"'  "'"■'^"'d  ""'e 
«aa  engaged  to  furni^ih  VO  men.  . 

Oh  WetJnestlay  the  lOih  MaJ   th^  n  . 

proceeded  for  thei.  fort  at  Savbr    t    T"^'^"'  ^^°«P» 

^0  EufilUh„.eo  and  TO  M  Lean  "d  '  -^'^T^'^^^^  '^^ 
latter  commanded  bv  rT„.  ^        ^  "''''  ^"^'^ns^the 

and  the  wt/cX.^C'^l^r  j;";,''''  ^o-^^- 
«ied«y  ,he  Bev.  Mr.  Sxo«    „f  h!:;  .  "'""'"" 

The  Mohegan.  being  detached' fl^tlirht':':'"- 
way  to  Saybrook,  fdl  in  with  -  V    ^"^'""^*»  °"  ^*»eir 

enemy,  whom  t  ey    uacl  d  '  TlT'^''  ""'''  °^^'^« 

.nd  took  18  of  .z^:t::''  '''"'^''  ^'^^^  '^'"^^^^ 

Among  the  prisoners   there  uas  one  »».. 

ni-^ed  as  u  perfidious  villian  •   he  ha!i ,     ^         "^'^  ''""^• 

U..   r.rai. _^'"'an.  he  had  lived  m  the  fort  wi:iv 

...  -  ^.  .«  ....=  u„,,  i,,i,,,  ^^^  ^^^j  undc;-.tooU  th^.^ 


language  ;  he  remained  attached  to  their  interest  untH 
the  oommencementofhoslilUics  with  the  Pcquots,  when 
he  deserted  the  garrison  and  joined  the  enemy,  whom  he 
served  as  guide,  and  through  whose  instigation  many  of 
the  English  had  been  captured  and  put  to  death.—UNcus 
and  his  men  insisted  upon  executing  him  according  to 
the  custom  of  their  ancestors,  and  the  English,  in  the 
circumstances  in  which  they  then  were,  did  not  judge  it 
prudent  to  interfere— the  Indians  enkindled  a  fire,  near 
which  they  confined  the  prisoner  to  a  stake,  in  which  si- 
tuation he  remained  until  his  skin  became  parched  with 
the  heat ;  the  Mohegans  then  violently  tore  him  limb 
from  limb,  barbarously  cutting  his  flesh  in  pieces,  they 
handed  it  round  from  one  to  another,  eating  it,  while 
they  sung  and  danced  round  the  fire  in  a  manner  pecu- 
liar tp  savages  !  the  bones  and  such  parts  of  the  unfortu- 
nate  captive  as  were  not  consumed  in  this  dreadful  re- 
past, were  committed  to  the  flames  and  consume*,  to 
ashes* 

On  the  19th,  Capt.  Mason  and  his  men  proceeded  hrr 
Narraganset  bay,  at  which  place  they  safely  arrived  ob 
the2Ut.~Capt.  Mason  marched  immediately  to  the 
plantation  of  Cakonicits  (a  Narraganset  sachem)  and  aw- 
quamtcd  him  with  his  designs,  and  immediately  aft^  dis- 
patched  a  messenger  to  MiifNTooMi,  to  infbrnl%im 
hkewise  of  the  expidition.  The  next  day  MiantimoI^, 
vith  his  chief  counsellors  and  warriors  met  the  Kogn»h 
—Capt.  Mason  informed  him  that  the  cause  of  his  ciitei^. 
ing  his  country  with  an  armed  force  was  to  avenge  t|re 
injuries  which  the  Pequots  had  done  the  £ngtist»i  a^ 
desired  a  free  passage  lo  their  forts,  which  thbjr  ita^^ 
to  attack  ;-after  a  solemn  consullaiioD;i^vihe<fti^^ 
manner,  Miantikom,  observed  that  *«he  ^^tf  ,^ 
««  or  lue  expedition  and  would^send  meii^ 
■EngHs:.,  but  that  they  were  too  few  m^ 


■\., 


r,. 


fhe  ene«y-:.lh»t  tbe  Pequots  were  great  warriors  $n£ 
rather  slighted  ihe  English." 

Capt.  Mason  landed  his  men  and  marched  to  the  plan.' 
tation  of  MiANTiNoMi,  which,  by  previous  agreement, 
was  to  be  the  place  of  general  rendezvous^in  the  even, 
wg  an  Indian  runner  arrived  with  information  that  Capt. 
Patrick,  with  the  men  under  his  command,  had  arrived 
at  the  plantation  of  Rogeh  Williams,   in   Providence, 
and  was  desirous  that  Capt.  Mason  should  pospone  hia 
march  until  su.h  time  as  he  could  join  him  ;  Capt.  Ma- 
SON  after  mature  deliberation  determined  however  not  to 
wait  his  arrival,  although  a  junction  was  considered  impor- 
tant ;  his  men  had  already  been  detained  much  longer 
than  was  agreeable  to  their  wishes,  and  the  Mohegans 
apparently  were  impatient  for  battle,     The  little  army 
therefore  (consisting  of  90  Englishmen,  60  Mohegan  and 
river  Indians  and  about  206  Narragansets)  commenced 
their  march  on  the  24.h.  and  in  the  evening  of  that  day 
reached  Nihaniick,  which  bounded  on  the  country  of  the 
Pequots-Nihantick  was  the  seat  of  a  Narraganset  Sa- 
Chem,  who  seemed  displeased  with  the  expedition,  and 
vould  not  suffer  the  English  to  enter  his  fort-Capt.  Ma. 
SON,  suspecting  the  treachery  of  this  fellow,  placed  a  sen- 
finel  at  night  at  the  entrance  of  the  fort,  determined  that 
as  he  could  not  be  permitted  to  enter,  no  one  should  come 
out  to  advise  the  enenjy  of  his  approach. 

On  the  morning  of  the  ?5th,  Capt.  Mason  was  join-d 
by  an  additional  nutnber  of  the  Narragansets  and  a  few  ^ 
of  the  N.hanticks-they  formed  a  circle,  and  brandishing 
their  scalping  knives,  made  protestations  how  gallantly 
they  would  figh;,  and  what  numbers  they  would  kill  1  &c. 
--Capt.  Mason  had  now  under  his  command  near  50O 
Ind.ans,  in  addition  to  his  former  force,  with  whom  he 
early  rea^fumed  his  march  for  the  head  quarters  of  tbe 
siicrny-tfae  day  proved  uncommonly  warm,  and  the  mn 


tlfrough  excessive  heat  and  want  of  provision,  Wefe  only 
enabled  by  night  to  reach  Paucatuck  river  j  where  th» 
Narragansets  began  to  mainifest  great  fear  and  to  enquir* 
of  Capt.  Mason  his  real  designs— he  assured  them  that 
«  it  was  to  attack  the  Pequots  in  their  fort !"  at  which 
they  appeared  greatly  surprized,  and  exhibited  a  disposi- 
tion to  quit  the  English  and  return  home. 

Wequash,  a  Pequoi  Sachem,   who  had  revolted  from 
Sassacus,  was  the  principal  guide  of  the  English,  and  ho 
proved  faithful  ;  he  gave  such   information  respecting 
the  distance  of  the  forts  of  the  enemy  from  each  other, 
and  the  distance  they  were  then  from  that  of  the  chief 
Sachem's,  as  induced  Capt.  Masok  to  determine  to  at-, 
tack  the  latter,  which  his  guide  represented  as  situated  at 
the  head  of  Mistic  river— he  found  his  men  so  much  fa- 
tigued in  marching  through  a  pathless  wilderness,  with 
their  provision,  arms  and  ammunition,  that  this  resolution 
appeared  to  be  absolutely  necessary.    The  little  army 
accordingly  on  the  morning  of  the  26ih,  proceeded  direct- 
ly for  Misiic,  and  at  about  sundown  penetrated  a  thick 
swamp,  where  (imagining  that  they  could  not  be  far  dia- 
tant  from  the  fort)  they  pitched  their  little  camp,  between 
two  large  rocks,  now  known  by  the  name  of  «  Porter't 
rocks,"  situated  in  Grolon— the  sentinels,  who  were  con- 
iiderably  advanced  in  front  of  the  main  body  of  the  En* 
glish,  distinctly  heard  the  enemy  spging  and  dancing 
.  through  the  night  at  their  fort.  .    , 

The  ilhportant  day  was  now  approaching  when  tho 
very  existence  of  CoNifEcricur,  was  to  be  determined 
by  the  |word  in  a  f-ingle  action  J  and  to  be  decided  by  rhe^ 
valour  or  less  thaVi  100  brave  men  '-About  two  houcf 
before  day  the  :nen  were  aroused  from  their  iluiWr. 

by  their  officers,  and  after  commending  themselves  and 
their  cause  to  the  A I  Ml  £<>''">   >  j      ••      isj- 

Weiiispatcb  for  the  enemy's  fortj-when  within  a  «p# 


iod«  of  the  fort,  Capt.  Maion  lent  for  Umcas  and  Wk« 
<IUA8H,  and  desired  (hem  in  their  Indian  manner  to  har- 
ranguc  and  prepare  their  men  for  combat  j  they  replied 
that  "  their  men  were  much  afraid,  and  could  not  be 
prevailed  upon  to  adf  ante  any  farther !"— «  Go  then  (said 
Capt.  Masok)  and  request  them  not  to  retire,  but  fo  aur- 
round  the  fort  at  any  distance  they  please,  and  see  what 
courage  Englishmen  can  display  l"-.The  day  was  now 
dawning,  and  no  time  to  be  lost,  the  fort  waa  soon  in 
view-the  aoldiers  pressed  forward,  animated  with   th« 
reHection  that  it  was  not  for  themselves  alone  they  were 
about  to  fight,  but  for  their  parents,  wives,  children  and 
countrymen  !— as  they  approached  the  fort  within  a  short 
distance,  they  were  discovered  by  a  Pequot  sentinel,  who 
roared   out   «  Owanux  •»   *'  Owanux  •    (Englishmen  I 
^lEnglishmen  !)— the  troops  pressed  on  and  as  the  Indians 
were  rallying  poured  in  upon  them  the  contenta  of  their 
muskets,  and  instantly  hastening  to  the  principal  entranco 
»f  the  foN,  rushed  in  sword  in  hand  J-an  important  mo. 
MentNlhis  I  for  notwithstanding  the  blaze  and  thunder  of 
the  arms  of  the  English,  the  Pequots  made  a  manly  and 
ileaperate  resistance  ;  sheltered  by  their  wigwarms,  and 
tailed  by  their  sachems  and  squaws,  they  defended  them- 
idvesand  in  some  instances  attacked  the  English  with  a 
f«scluuon  that  would  have  done   honor  to  Romans  !-- 
after  a  bloody  and  desperate  conflict  of  near  two  hours 
continuance^io  which  hundreds  of  the  Indians  were  slain, 
fend  many  of  the  English  killed  and  woundedT  victory 
stiH  ntti%  in  suspense  !-in  this  critical  state  of  the  ac 
lion,  C^t.  Mason  had  recourse  to  a  successful  cxpedi- 
,ent^ru%h.ng  into  a  wigwarm  within  the  fort,  be  seized 
%^ndof  fire.^nd  in  the  mean  time  crying  out  to  his 
»W  "  1^  must  bum  them ."»  communicated  it  to  tb« 
mats  with  which  the  wigwarms  were  covered,  by  wbici, 
"';  "  ""'''•  ^'^^  't**^  ^^^f  soon  cnwrapt  m  eaiset  | 


*-M  the  nrt  increased  the  Engh'ah  retired  and  formed  ft 
crclc  around  the  fort ;  the  Mohcgans  and  Narraganscu 
who  had  remained  idle  fipectalora  to  the  bloody  conflict, 
how  mustered  courage  sufficient  to  form  another  oircle 
m  the  rear  of  them  ;-.the  enemy  were  now  in  u  deplo- 
rable  situation-death  inevitably  was  their  portion  •  JiaU 
lying  forth  from  their  burning  cells,  they  were  shot  op 
cut  in  pieces  by  the  Engliah-many  of  them  (perceivin,r 
I  impossible  to  escape  the  vigilance  of  the  troops)  ihre^ 
Ihemselvea  voluntarily  into  the  flames  !  *-  '         ^. 

The  violence  of  the  flamea-^the  reflectioh  of  the  light 
^  he  claahmg  and  roar  of  arms^the  ahrieka  and  yellt 
of  he  savages  ,n  the  fort,  and  the  shoutings  of  the  friend- 
y  Ind.ans  w.thout,  exh.bi.ed  a  grand  and  awful  scene  I 
in  ess  than  two  hours  from  the  commencement  of  the 
bloody  acfon,  the  English  completed  their  work^-eighJ^ 
w.gwarms  were  burnt  and  upwards  of  eight  hundred  In! 
d.ans  destroyed  .-parents  and  children,  the  sannup  and 
•quaw,  the  aged  and  the  young,  perished  in  permiscu! 
ous  ru.„.    the  loss  of  the  English  was   Comparitivelr 
trifling,  not  exceeding  as  in  killed  and  tvounded. 

the  plr^'t '''""'""'*^^' '''''  ''""^^  engagement,  it 
the  English  were  proceeding  to  embark  on  boarttL"  ' 
teasels  (which  l,utunately  for  them  at  this  momir  i«- 
f  ived  in  the  harbor)  they  were  attacked  in  A*^'  im 
about  300  of  the  enemy,  who  had  been  dispalEK 
a  ncghboring  fort  to  assist  their  brctbren-ihe^^ 
gave  thdm  stf  warm  a  reception  that  they  9o6n  emm  waw 

ftw  moments,  with  apparent  mark,  of  horwr  aniJ  aar- 
prize,  the  shocking  scene  which  it  presented,  they  atai^ 
cd,  bdlowed,  and  with  savage  rage  tore  tbd»:h4  j^ 
Uieir  heads  I  and  then,  y^k  a  hideous  yeir  r^&|?S 


English  as  if  with  a  deten^haUnn  tn  ..,^.,.^,^^.m^.^ 


fv     " 


ing  at  a  distance,  from  behind  rocks  and  tr..«    ««  i 

the  enemy  findmg  at  length  that  they  discharged  thci. 

ZZ   ;"  '?'  '"^  ''''  ^'^  ^^elish  appeared  to  be  we  I 
Wd  wMh  ammunition,  gave  over  the  pursuit. 

^1«5  than  three  weeks  from  the  time   the  Enclisb 
embanked  at  Saybrook,  they  returned  (with  the  except!  # 

t.vc  hab.tal.ons.-.Few  enterprizes  were  ever  perhaps  a#' 
chicved  wun  more  personal  bravery  j  in  few  have  bo  great 
a   proportion  of  the  effectrve  men  of  a   whole  coLy,  •    ' 

BltLr^tK-"^ '*"''''  ''^^^  ^"SHsh  inhabitants  of  Con* 
Becticut  at  this  important  cri«is-in  these  respects  evtiv 

^X'onLT™'"''  and  battle,  of  Europe  are  compar. 

^ton  ^H       '  '"^P^"«««-«nd  it  ought  never  to  be  for. 

««Hton,  that  through  the  bravery  and  unconquerable  rcso. 

hiuon  of   CSS  than  one  hundred  men,  Cofiecticut  w»s 

«ice  saved,  and  the  most  warlike   and  t  Jible  tribelaf 

Indjans  m  New-England  completely  exterminated.     M 

^    1  he  few  Pequota  that  now  remained  Ave  conceii£ 

U  unsafe  to  inhabit  longer  a  country  so  £|sed  to  S 

«ion,  removed  fop  to  the  westward  ;  amoft,?^  whom  X 

.^AssAcus,  their  principal  sachem.^On  the  25th  Jun<% 

ihe  Connecticut  troops  under  command  cfCapt.  Mason,' 

together  with  a  company  from  Massachusetts,  command- 

ed  by  Capu  Stoughton,   were  sent  in  pursuit  of  them  ; 

Ihey  proceeded  westward,  and  on  the  37ih  fell  in  witk 

a.iacked  and  defeated  a  considerable  body  of  them  :  they 

took  about  50    nf   th«>tv.    .,-: .  '• 


—St-. 

two  Sarfiems,  qrbose  lives  were  offered  them  on  condition 
of  their  serving  as  guides  to  the  Enghsh; 
/  The  English  on  iheir.  march  frequently   fell  in   with 
•mall  detached  parties  of  the  enemy,  whom  they  captur- 
/ed  or  destroyed,   but  could  not  obtain  any  information 
rehtive  to  the  main  body  communded  by  Sassacus— 
finding  that  the  two  sachem  pris..n«rs   would  not  give 
them  the  information  required,  they  on  the  S'Jlh  behead- 
«d  them  at  a  place  called  Menunkaiuck  (now  Guilford) 
^   from  which  circumstance  the  place  still  bears  the  name 
*  of  «  Sachems*  head."    The  English  on  the  SOth,  arriv- 
«d  at  Quinnipiak  (now  New-Haven)  where  thcjr  were  in- 
formed  by  a  friendly  Pequot  that  the  enemy  were  encamp- 
ed in  a  swamp,  a  kw  miles  to  the  westward— the #oop8 
pushed  forward  and  on  the  succeeding  day  arrived  at  the 
Aorder  of  said  swamp,  which  they  found  a  thicket  so  ex- 
trcmcly  boggy  as  to  render  it  inaccessible  td  any  one  but 
the  natives— the  English,  therefore,  thought  it  most  adri- 
sablc  to  surround  the  swanjp  and  annoyiOie  enemy  as  op« 
portunity  presented }— the  Indians,  afilra  few  skirmishes, 
requested  a  parley,  which  being  grated  ihera,  Thomas 
Stanton  (interpreter  to  the  Engl||b)  was  sent  to        "" 
with  them— he  was  authorized  to  me  life  to  such 
not  shed  the  blood  of  Englishmen  ;|iga»  which  Jfc  Sa. 
chem  of  the  place,  together  with  abHsoo  oMRs  tr.'e 
came  out,  and  producing satisfactory]!foof  odiiii^  inno- 
cence, were  germittedto  retire  j-but  the  Pequofs|«rkIry.  , 
declared  ihat^"  they  had  both  shed  and  drank  the  blSJP 
£ngl.sbmen,  and  would  not  upon  such  terms  l«Mm^ 
life,  but  would  fight  It  out  '"-.The  English,  unWEfe 
brook  the  threats  and  insulting  language  of  thc^^^^^ 
ftUempied  now  to  devise  means  to  attack  the  whdpl» 

pivwed  m  opmion  as  to  tN*.  «»«^»  ^e , 

f^tmm^  are  to  the  swamp,  others  <br  cutting  ib^  , 


I 


en.hi.  1      ""="""f""«  »«•  much  lesMned.  and  their 

break  !k        f        ^"^'"'•'  •"»■'=  »  »wl"i'  "ttempt  to 

*i.h  ,^^h  ^       ConnecticM  troop,,  bat  hw  they  met 
cIo«  a.717;":::  -^'-n-'-e  com.,,  „o»  b«,m. 

.  »Mmb.r,  .pp".,tdi,  ;  '"'°  ""'  ^*  ^  " 

pence  of  'hi  fi!  *'""""="  "<"  ">  XieW  but  at  the  e,. 

^.Ikedtodlfu'r'rM  "'■•"'"'  '"•'"*"'  "'  "«■» 

I""*,  .nd  when  InT.         ""'  """  '"  "P'"""  ""»«• 
•  W«»  from  the  ■.'"V'"'''° '■''"'  "'™'«'  ««'«<> 

»altno.he  "  ;^^^^^  .hee„e.,.oon  after 

Enfflkh  »„j        T^""""^  "■""Sh  the  lines  of  the 

Jt:t:  ^r:t'aot;:''r'''^^^^^^ 

.ri  fi,-,    '"'.''"«""  60  of  their  bravest  warriors  eacsn. 
«d,  the  remainder  being  either  killed  or  taken  prisoners  • 

c:>:r°''''«  ^««"='' -■'•'"•=<' -d^or;- 

some  o^^wr"' """"  ""'  '''"'"''^  """W  "•"•-»"?». 

-.-.he  prisoners  ^o^r  l^e:  oltrof^l^t 
quota  was  now  nearly  exterminated  ;  that  ndWerVn, 
Sfart  '-""■'O''"'  "P'-d;  of  .^ootS 

bachcms.  and  that  six  yet  survived,  one  of  whom  ... 
r'"---A«wa,  %»|io  had  fl«*'i  ««';•»'  ••'-  <• .    ^  . . 


Hcd  with  ihc  fragment  of  hh  tribe 


to 


the  country  bordering  on  Hudion  i.yer,  inhabited  by  th« 
Mohawks. 

After  the  swamp  fight  the  Pequots  became  fo  weak 
tnd  scattered  that  the  Mohegans  and  Narraganset*  daily 
destroyed  them,  and  presented  their  scalps  to  the  Eng- 
lish ;  tlie  few  that  fled  with  Sassacus  to  the  westward, 
vrcro  attacked  and  totally  destroyed  by  the  Mohawks~! 
Ihe  scalp  of  Sassacus  was  in  the  fall  of  1638,  preaenteU 
to  the  Governor  and  Council  of  Massachusetts. 

Soon  after  the  extermination  of  the  Pequots,  the  Nar. 
ragansets  (the  most  numerous  tribe  in  New-England)  be- 
ing displeased  with  the  small  power  with  which  they 
ver«  vested,  and  the  respect  which  the  English  uniformly 
manifested  for  Uncus,  appeared  disposed  to  break  their 
treaty  of  friendship.  Miantimoki,  without  consulting 
the  English  according  to  agreement,  wit|0t  proclaiming 
war,  or  giving  Ukcus  the  least  information,  raised  an  ar- 

my  of  1000  men  and  marched  against  him The  spies 

of  Uncus  discovered  the  army  at  some  distance  and  gave 
him  intelligence— he  was  unprepared,  but  rallying  about 
500  of  his  bravest  men  he  told  them  they  must  by  no  meana 
•ufTer  MiANTiNoMi  to  enter  their   town,  but   must  go 
Uud  give  him  battle  on  his  way.    The  Mohegans  having 
marched  three  or  four  miles  met  the  enemy  upon  an  ex- 
tensive  plain— when  the  armies  had  advanced  within  fair 
bow  shot  of  each  other,  Uncus  had  recourse  to  stratagip, 
with  which  he  had  previously  acquainted  his  warricaS 
be  desired  a  parley,  which   being  granted,  Imth  armieiS? 
halted  in  the  face  of  each  other ;  Uncus   gallantly   adl 
vancing  in  front  of  his  men  addressed   Miantinowi   xo 
this  effect-"  Yon  have  a  number  of  stout  men  with  yoi^ 
and  so  have  1  with  me ;  it  is  a  great  pity  that   so  many 
brave  warriors  should  be  killed  in  consequence  of  «  pd' 

' — — ....«va»«u;j,-   uciween   us  two  i— come   iikc.ll 

|iWv«  man,  as  you  profess  to  be,  pnd  let  us  decide  00-  -■■' 


groond  bis  men  d  scharired  a  show,.  „f  . 

Che  Nar«g.„s=ts,  and  ,,?.bou.  »mol„1.  """  """"« 

yell,  puuhem  ,0  fligh.-Th«  Mobegirpll*:??:! 
enemy  with  the  same  fury  and  eagemefs  with  wb"ch, her 
.ommenced  the  ac.ion-the  Nafragan  J.  weTe  "dr  Je^ 

.ol  jr™^  "?"'  M.A»T.»o«,  wa.  hard  pushed" 
tTh  b  1  ^H  "'"f  "'  "■'  '""^'Sana  coming  up' 
7  L  ^'' '"™  "'"""  »'"'  ™P«ded  bis  flight  that 

U«„,   the-r-l^chem.  might  alone  have  the  honor  o 
tal^ms  b,m  i-U»cus  (»ho  was  a  man  of  great  bodilir 
st«h.th)  rushing  for,„d  ,ik,,,i„„  g,„d/„fy'™'' 
«,ad  M,A»T.»o«,  by  the  shoulder,  »nd  elvL  be  In 

.ti^tate"""^;':':-?""-- "'""'-  '^'•'"' '  t 

wounded  a»d  .ahen  pHaoners ,  anZg  .r,     „  ^ " 
broiher  of  M.astikom,  andtwo  of  .be  .ods  of  CasoI. 

So,.,e  few  day,  after,  Unci,,  conducted  MrZ^lT, 
bac!<  to  the  spot  where  he  wa,  taken,  for  the  Dur^l  ?f 
pm.u,g  bim  to  death ;  a,  the  instant  they    TivedTn  .he 
grouno,  an  Indian  (who  was  ortered  to  marcl^  i^  the  r  ar 
for  the  purpose)  sunlc  a  hatchet  into  hi-  head    .n^^- 
patched  bim  at  ., single  a.roite  i-he  wa   p  ^fbiylt" 
quamttd  w,.h  hi,  fate  abd  Itnew  not  by  what  m^„.  fct 
fea-UKcu.  cut  out  a  large  piece  of  bis  sh„,.  ".  "  =.T 
«  u.-,oured  in  aav.ge  triumph  i  declaring  m'.he  m^     ■ 


^■i 


■»•>««*„..  ;;:; 


fwe  that «  it  ti^as  the  sweetest  meat  he  ever  ate  ;  i(  msdrt 
his  heart  strong  !"  The  Mohegans  buried  MiAsriifout 
at  the  place  of  his  execution,  and  erected  upon  his  grave 
a  pillar  of  stones— this  memorable  event  gave  the  place 
the  name  of  «'  Sachem»s  Plains"-.they  are  situated  in 
an  eastern  corner  of  Norwich. 

The  Narragansets  became  now  greatly  enraged  at  the 
death  of  their  sachem,  and  sought  means,  to  destroy 
Uncus,  whose  country  they  in  small  parties  frequently 
envaded,  and  by  laying  ambuses  cut  off  a  number  of 
hjs  most  valuable  warriors.    AsUkcuswsTs   the  avowed 
friend  of  the  English,  and  hat  in  many   instances  signal. 
izcdhimselfassuch,theyconceived  it  their  duty  to   afr 
ford  him  all  the   protection  possible—they  dispatched 
messengers  to  acquaint  the  Narragansets  with  their  de- 
termination, should  they  continue  to  ikioI^Und  disturb 
thereposeof  the  Mohegans.-Thc   mesli|eFs  of  th» 
English   met  with  quite  an  unfavorable  reception,    to 
whom  one  of  the  Narraganset  sachems  declared  that «» ho 
would  kill  every  Englishman  and  Mohegan  that  came 
wrthin  his  reach  :  that  whoever  began  the  war  he  would 
continue  it,  and  that  nothing  should  satisfy  him  but  th« 
head  of  Ukcus  P* 

The  English,  irritated  at  the  provoking  language  of 
the  Narragansets,  now  determined  not  only  to  pTotect 
UNcus,hnK  to  envade  their  country  with  an  army  of  SQO 
men ;  first  to  propose  a  peace  on  their  own  terms,  hut 
li  rejected,  to  attack  and  destroy  them-for  this  purpose 
^lassachuselts  was  to  furnish  190  and  Plymouih  and 
l^onnecticul. colonies  ss  men  each. 

J^^^T^'^^'T'^  ^'"'"'"^  '^*'  "  «'"*y  ^  a^«ut  W 
enter  the  heart  of  their  country,  and  fearful  dfehe  Issue, 

tli^atched  several  of  their  principal  men  to  .u.  f.r 
w^r^nt.^'Ihc  Goremor  „d  Council  dc^arid^  th^r " 


kY 


W, 


—40— 

1rb.«h  they  had  taken  from  I,im,  and  pledge  ihemsdte. 
10  »*feta.a  perpetual  peace  ^Ith  the  Engli^rd  ^I  ' 
d  .es,and  tothe  former  pay  an  annual  trfbute  of  foc^ 
fathom  of  whue  wampum  l^these  indeed  were  ha^ 
terms,  agamst  which  the  Narragans^ts,  slrohrremon 
strated  but  aware  that  the  English  had  alrea  fl  ons  dl 
erable  force  collected  for  that  express  purpose  of  e„  « 

dmg  then,  country,  they  at  length  thought  it  moit  nru- 
dent  to  acquiesce*  ^     ■ 

^  ^   During  the  war  between  the  Narragansets  and  iJscv^ 
the  former  once  besieged  tht  fort  of  the  latler  until  his 
frov«ions  were  nearly  exhausted,  and  he  found  that  his 
men  must  soon  perish  eiiher  by  famine  or  the  tomahawk 
unless  speeddy  relieved^n  this  crisis  he  found  means 
of  commun^lifng  an  account  of  his  situation  to  the  Ene- 
lish  scouts.  Mo  bad  been  dispatched  from  the  fort  in 
Saybrook  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy^-UNcus  represent 
ed  Che  dangers  to  which  the  English  would  be  exposed 
If  the  Narragansets  should  succeed  in  destroying  the 
Mohegans.     It  was  at  this  critical  juncture,  that  the 
greatest  part  of  the  English  troops  in  Connecticut  were 
employed  on  an  expedition  abroad  j  h  Mr.  Thomas  Lef- 
TiNcwELL,  however,  a  bold  and  enterprizing  man,  on 
learning  the  situation  of  Uncus,  loaded  a  canoe  with 
proviMQH,  and  under  corer  of  the  night  paddled  from  Say- 
^'ook  into  the  riyer  Thames,  and  had  the  address  to  get 
,1^  wholeinto  the  fort^the  enemy  soon  after  disco^r. 

'  '^M^'^^  **"***  "''*'*'^'^  supplies,  raised  the  siege  • 
^^^K^"^^  ^^  ^*^^*^«  Ukcus  presented  said  Liy! 
''^'^^P^"^  »  d'^ed  of  a  very  large  tract  of  land, 
BOW  coMSpming  the  whole  town  of  Norwich. 

?he  English  in  New-England  now  enjoyed  a  peace  ua- 
mUieyearieri,  wlitnthey  again  lookup  arms  to  re- 
---ii-MiCve«aofaric  ot  their  tuuntryi^cn,  wh^  fa^ 


•*41-*^ 


ieen  rnhomanlr  murdered  by  an  Indian  belonging  to 
the  Nipnet  tribe,  of  wjiich  the  celebrated  Paifeip;   of 
Mount  Hope  (now  Bristol,  R.  I.)  was  Sachem.^It  waa 
ti)oueht  the  most  prudent  step  by   the  Governor  and 
Council,  irst  to  send  for  PauiP,  and  acquaint  him  with 
the  cause  of  their  resentment,  and  the   course  which 
they  were  determined  to  pursue  in  case  he  refused  to 
dehver  into  their  hands  the  murderer-PHiuP  being  ac- 
cordingly sent  for.  and  appearing  before  the  court,  ap, 
.  peared  much  dissatisfied  with  the  conduct  of  the  accused^ 
Msuring  them  that  no  paias  should  be  spared  to  biing 
him  to  justice  j  and  more  fully  to  confirm  his  friendtktp 
for  the  Kngljsb,  expressed  a  wish  that  t|ie   declaratiort 
jrhich  he  was  about  publicly  to  make,  might  be  coimnit. 
ted  to  paper,  that  he  and  his  Council,  mpht  thereunto 
affix  their  signatures.    The  Governor  &  Council,  in 
comp!ia5>co  wit|»  the  request  of  Philip,  drew  up  the  fol- 
lowing, which  after  being  signed  4jy.PH,LiP  and-  his  cnier 
men,  was  presented  to  the  Governer  by  Philip  in  con- 
nrmation  of  hii  friencjly  assurances  :-i 

«  Whereas  my  father,  my  brother,  and  mysel^irife 
tiniformly  submitted  tothe  good  and  wholesome  la^  i.f 
his  majesty,  the  king  of  England,  and  have  ever  respect- 
^s  faithful  subjects,  the  English,  as  our  fiignds  and 
Mwhcrs,  and  being  still  anxious  to  brighten  tlfthaiiii^ 
Ififcndship  between  us,  we  do  now  embrace  thib  opjw^t^fc^ 
nity  to  pledge  ourselves,  that  we  will  spare  no  p^ni^^ 
seeking  out  and  bringing  to  justice,  such  of  (^  tribe  a» 
•hall  hereafter  commit  any  outrage  against  tlw^n ;  and  to 
reriWeall  suspicion,  we  voluntarily  agree  to  deliver  ui> 
t^^^i  all  the  fire  arms,  which  ilicj-  have  herctoiare 
Kindly  presented  us  with,  until  such  time  as  ih«v  cMn 
•w^iy  repoic  confidence  io  us-ftud  for  the  u  ws  psjiwifci- 


♦5 


'I*. 


#<   J»--.] 


•jp^t^ 


,# 


^^^ 


fe' 


I*  ■ 


•  *"i 


snce  of  these  ouf  sacred  promises,  we  hate  hereunto  see 
our  hands* ' 

Chief  Sachem* 
Philip's  X  mark. 

Chief  Men. 
Pokanokht's  X  i»ark» 
^    Uncombo's  X  mark. 
Sahkama's  X  mark, 
WocoKOM's  X  mark. 


T 

In  presence  of  the      T 
Governor  and  Council.  / 


Kotwithstanding  the  fair  promises  of  Philip^  it  was 
Boon  discovered  by  the  English,  that  he  was  playing  a 
deep  g:«me«  thar  he  was  artfully  enticing  his  red  breth- 
ren thi'oughout  the  whole  of  New*England,  tp  rise,  en 
masse,  against  tkem,  end  drive  them  out  of  Uie  count rj^; 
the  Narragansets,  for  this  purpose,,  had  engaged  to  raise 
400*0  fighijng  men— the  spring  of  1672,  was  the  time 
agreec^  upon  on  which  the  grand  blow  was  to  be  given.— 
The  evil  intentions  of  Philip,  was  first  discovered  and 
communicated  to  the  English,  by  a  friendly  Indian,  of 
the  Narragansel  tribe;  fortunately  for  them,  this  Indian 
hed  been  takeh  into  favour  by  the  Rev.  Mr.  Elliot,  by 
whom  he  had  been  taught  to  read  and  write,  and  becamd 
much  attached  to  the  English.— The  Governor  upon  re- 
ceiving the  important  information  relative  to  the  hostiJ« 
Hfiews  oiPaiiiPt  ordered  a  military  watch  to  be  kept  up 
in  all  the  English  settlementa  within  the  three  colonies  ; 
by  some  of  whom  it  was  soon  discovered  that  the  report 
of  their  Indian  friend  was  too  well  founded,  as  the  In- 
dians oi  uifferent  tribes  were  ^ily  seen  flocking  in  great 
numbers  to  the  head  quarters  6f  Philip^;  previously 
tending  their  wives   and   cJMJdren  to  the  NarragAiset 
country,  which  they  had  evefdiR>«  previous  to  the  com* 

nicnegmfent  nf  hnstiiitie!^    -    .^, 

Jht  inhabitants  of  Swaftiey  (a  small  settlement  ad- 

■•  #■  '  ■ 


,'•" 


#     —43—; 


^er^unto  scf 


joining  Mount  Hope,  th€  hcad-quarters  of  Philip)  were 
the  first  who  felt  the  effects  of  this  war.— Philip,  en- 
couraged by  the  numbers  who  were  daily  enlisting  un- 
der his  banners,  and  despairing  of  discovering  cause  that 
could  justify  him  in  the  commencement  of  hostiiiiiea 
against  his  **  friends  and  brothers,"  as  he  had  termed 
them,  resolved  to  provqi|ce  then?  to  war  by  killing  iheir 

.  cattle,  firing  their  barns,  fcc— this  plan  had  its  desired 
effect,  as  the  inhabitants,  determined  lo  save  their  pro- 
perty or  perish  in  the  attempt,  fired  upon  the  Indians, 
which  was  deemed  cause  sufiicient  by  the  latter  to  com- 
mence their  bloody  work— the  war-whoop  was  immedia- 
tely thereupon  sounded,  when  the  Indians  commeHced  an 
indiscriminate  murder  of  the  defenceless  inhabitants  of 
Swtnzey,  sparing  not  the  tender  infant  at  the  breast!— 
but  three,  of  seventy-eignt  persons  which  the  t(^^^||«con- 
tained,  made  their  escape.— Messengers  were  di8^|p||itrl 
with  the  melancholy  tidings  of  this  bloody  affair,  td^i% 
Governor,  who  by  and  with  the  advice  and  consent  of  the 
Council,  dispatched  a  company  of  militia  with  all  possi- 
ble speed  to  the  relief  of  the  distressed  inhabitants  resid- 
ing near  the  head^quarters  of  Philip  ;— as  soon  as  they 
could  be  raised,  three  companies  more  were  despatches! 
under  the  command  of  Captains  Hencbbsan,  PKllMTicg, 
and  Church,  who  arrived  in  the  neighborhood  <»fSwj^- 
aey,  on  the  28th  June,  where  they  were  joined  by  four 
more  companies  from  Plymouth  colony^-it  wai^-  tWt\A 

.  that  the  Indians  had  pillaged  and  set  fire  to  th#  viirage, 
and  with  their  booty  had  retired  to  Mount  Hope— a  com- 
pany  of  cavalry  were  sent  under  the  coH^jjjand  bf  Capt. 
PaENTicK,to  reconnoitre  them*;  But  befiwe  they  iriived 
at  a  convenient  place  for  this  purpose,  they  were  apii)|sh. 
ed  and  fired  upon  by  the  eneroyj:  who  ktticd  six- 4^^**^ 
number  snd  wmind'"^  t^^     «t-~  »» »'ii' a •-. -. f* fi, _ ; ^  — -ii-^rst — 

log  the  rtimaining.  QiiApanies 


,,^-  i^49tiii-,->  ■ 


—44— 

«cned  to  the  relief  of  the  cavalry,  who  at  ihia  momen* 
mre  compfetely  surrounded  by  about  600  Indians,  be. 
ti»ecn  .vhom  and  the  English  a  warm  contest  now  ensu- 
ed ;  the  savages  fought  desperately,  and  more  than  once 
nearly  succeeded  in  overpowering  the  English,  but  very 
fortunately  for  the  latter,  when  nearly  despairing  of  vic- 
tory, a  fresh  company  of  militi^  from  Poston  arrived  j 
which  flanking  the  enemy  on  the  right^nd  lefV,  and  ex- 
posing ibem  to  two  fires,  soon  overpowered  them,  and 
caused  then)  to  seek  shelter  in  an  adjoining  wood,  inac- 
cessible tp  the  English—The  English  had  in  this  severe 
engagement  42  killed,  and  73  wounded,  many  of  them 
mortally-the  enemy's  loss  was  supposed  to  be  much 
greater.  , 

Or,  the  SOtb,  Major  Ratace  (who  by  bis  Excellency 
*hc  Governor  bad  been  appointed  Commander  in  Chief 
oMhe  combined  English  forces)  arrived  with  an  addi- 
Honal  company  of  cavalry,  who  with  the  remaining  com- 
rames  the  following  day  commenced  their  march  for 
JWounuHope,  the  Iread-quartera  of  Phii.i»— on  their 
w^.  the  English  were  affected  with  a  scene  truly  dis- 
tressing; the  Savages,  not  content  with  bathing  their 
tomah^ks  in  the  blood  of  the  defenceless  inhabitants  of 
-wanisy,  had,  it  was  discovered,  in  many  instances  de- 
tached their  limbs  from  their  mangled  bodies,  and  affix. 

t^""^  ^  ^**'^*  '^'"'^^  ^*'**  extended  in  the  air !  among 
^^  ^^^^  discovered  the  heads  of  several  infant  child- 
wei>,  the  whole  of  which,  tiy  order  of  Maj.  Savage, 
^ere  collected  and  buried. 

The  English  arrived  st  Mount-Hope  about  sun^set,  but 
the  enemy  having  received  information  of  their  approach, 
Nd  deserted  their  wigwaims  mid  retired  into  a  neigh- 
boring  wood.~.Major  SAVAo«,to  pursue  the  enemy  wit^ 
success,  now  divided  his  men  into  seperate  coir.ngnles  • 
whfch  hfe  prdcfed  to  march  in  differenfc  directions,  8tatb,> 


k  .fi-44«» 


ing  40  at  Mount>Hope.->On  the  4th  July  the  men  under 
the  command  of  Captains  Churcr  and  Henchhak,  fell 
in  with  a  bodjr  of  the  enemy)  to  the  number  of  S00| 
tvhom  they  attacked  ;  the  English  being  but  S2  in  num- 
ber, including  officers,  victory  for  a  considerable  length 
of  tim^  appeared  much  in  favor  of  the  savages,  but 
very  fortunately  for  the  for^jier  being  commanded  by  bold 
and  resolute  officers,  they  defended  themselves  in  the 
most  heroic  manner  until  relieved  by  a  company  of  cav- 
airy,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  Prentice.— -The 
Indians  now  in  turn  finding  the  fire  of  the  English  too 
warm  for  them,  fled  in  every  direction,  leaving  30  of 
their  number  dead  and  about  60  severely  wounded  on  tbo 
field  of  action— the  English  in  this  engagement  had  7 
killed  and  33  wounded,  five  of  whom  survive^?  the  action 
jbut  a  few  hours* 

This  action,  so  far  from  daunting  the  bold  and  reso* 
lute  Capt.  Church,  seemed  to  inspire  him  with  addi- 
tional bravery  ;  unwilling  that  any  of  the  enemy  should 
escape,  he  boldly  led  his  men  into  an  almost  impenelnb- 
ble  forest  into  which  those  who  survived  the  action  had 
fled— the  Indians  perceiving  the  English  approaching, 
concealed  themselves  from  their  view  by  lying  flat  on 
their  bellies,  in  which  situation  they  remained  concealed 
until  the  English  had  advanced  within  a  few  rods  of 
them,  when  each  unperceived  fixing  upon  his  man,  dia*- 
charged  a  shower  of  arrows  among  them— this  unexpec*. 
ted  check  threw  the  English  into  confasion,  which  ili^ 
Indians  perceiving,  rushed  furiously^  IQJon  thefti^.  ]|^ah 
their  knives  and  tomahawks,  shouting  horriuilj^^jie 
EngUsh  (their  cavalry  being  unable  ta  affQfif^^ni  «sSs- 
tance)  were  now  in  a  very  disagreeable  MpilMitt  ttie 
jrees  being  so  very  large  as  to  render  it  di^^^  tiir  yse 


iii'^XT  nrw  ii 


ruia  w'jin  any  cnect,  nud  ihcy  wcm  jww'..  i    _ 
eucor.ipassed  by  the  savage?^  ^s  ip  reu#r:im|llC^i|^ 


¥ 


I'll 


vf  effort  to  defend  themselves  ueeleas;  of  64  who  en^ 
tered  the  swamp,  but  17  escaped,  among  M^hom  very 
fortunateljr  was  their  valuable  leader  Capt.  Church. 

The  English  finding   that  they  could  neither  brinff 
their  enemies   to  action  in  open  field,  or  engage  them 
with  any  success  in  the  forest  in  which  they  were  lodg- 
cd,  returned  home,  with  the  ^exception  of  three  compa- 
nies, who  were  stationed  by  Major  Savage  near  the 
borders  of  a  swamp,  into  which  it  was  strongly  suspect- 
ed that  Philip,  with  a  number  of  his  tribe,  had  fled— 
this  swamp  was  two  miles  in  length,  and  to  the  English 
inacce8sible.-.PHiLiP,wh9had  been  watching  tLc  mq. 
tion  of  his  enemies,  perceiving  the  greater  part  of  them 
inarching  off  conjectured  that  their  object  was  to  obtain 
a  reinforcement ;  impressed  with  this  belief,  he  resolved 
to  improve  the  first  opportunity  to  escape  with  a  few 
choien  men  by  water,  which  he  with  little  difficulty  effect- 
ed  the  proceeding  night,  taking  the  advantage  of  a  low 
tide.    The  enemy  were  sobn  after  their  escape  discover- 
ed and  pursued  by  the  inhabitants  of  Rehoboth,   accom- 
panicd  by  a  party  of  the  Mobegans,  who  had  volunteer. 
ed  their  services  against  Pmnp, 

The  Rehoboth  militia  came  up  with  the  rear  of  the 
enemy  about  sunset,  and  killed  12  of  them,  without  sus* 
taming  «ny  loss  on  their  part ;  night  preventing  their  en. 
gaging  the  whole  force  of  Philip,  but  early  the  succeed- 
ing morning  they  continued  the  pursuit,  the  Indians  had 
however  fled  with  such  precipitancy  that  it  was  found 
impossible  to  pyertake  them-they  bent  their  course  to 
the  westward,   exhorting    the  different  tribes  through 
wh^ch  they  passed  to  lake  up  arms  against  the  English 
The  United  Colonies  became  now  greatly  alarmed  at 
the  hostile  views  and  rapid  strides  of  PaiLiP^the  Gene- 
ir^^court  was  constantly  in  silting  and  endeavoring  to 
^>*«f««»>»"=ut  him  off  before  he  should  have  an  "op. 


-.47— 


pwtunity  to  corrupt  the  mindii  of  too  many  of  his  coui^ 
try  men* 

While  the  Court  was  thns  employed,  information  was 
received  that  Philip   had  arrived  in  the  ncignborhood 
of  Brookfield  (situated  about  M  miles  from  Boston)  and 
that  a  number  of  its  inhabitants  had  been  inhumanly 
butchered  by  his  adhei-enls.— Orders  were  imihedlately 
thereupon  issued  for  the  raising  ten  companies  of  foot 
and  horse,  to  be  despatched   to  the  relief  of  the  unfor- 
tunate  inhabitants  of  Brookfield  ;  but  before  they  could 
reach  that  place  Philip  and  his  party  had  entered   th» 
town  and  ihdisciiminalely  put  to  death  almost  every  in- 
habitant  which  it  contained  j  the  few  that  escaped  having 
taken  the  precaution,  previous  to  the  attack,  to  assemble 
together  in  one  house,  which  they  strongly  fortified  •  this 
liouse  was  furiously  attacked  by  the  savages  and   se'veral  - 
times  set  on  fire,  and  the  besieged  were  on  the  p'oint  of'% 
surrendering  when  Major  Willard  happily   arrived  to 
their  relief  :-.Between  the  English  and  the  Indians  a  des-    ' 
perate  engagement  now  ensued,  the  former,  by  the  ex- 
press command  of  their  officers,  gave  no  quarter,  but  in  a 
very  heroic  manner  rushed  upon  the  savages  with  club- 
btd  muskets  j  the  action   continued  until  near  sunler 
when  the  few  Indians  that  remained  alive  sought  shelter 
in  the  neighboring  woods.    In  this  engagement  the  Enr- 
lish  had  22  killed  and  75   wounded-the  enemy's  loss 
i*as  217  killed,  and  between  200  and  30©  wounded,  who    " 
by  way.of  retaliation  (for  their  barbarity  exercised  to!'     * 
ward  the  defenceless  inhabitants  of  Brookfield,  were  im-        * 
?iedialely  put  to  death. 

The  Governor  and  Council,  on  learning^tl»e  |^  of  jft- 
unfortunate  inhabitants  of  Brookfield,  despatch#i  wC 
torcemcnt  of  three  companies  of  cavalry  to  I^l      "^ 
LAED.  and  orHerprI  ih«>  IiLo,  » i ..  l     . 

HarUord,  in  Connecticut  colony,  with  which 


# 


jH^' 


—48^ 


reded  to  puriuc  Pmilif  with  fire  and  aword,  to  whateyif 
part  of  the  country  he  should  resort. 

It  being  discorlred  that  a  part  of  PaiLip*s  forces  had 
fled  to  Hatfield,  tWo  companies  of  English,  under  com- 
mand of  Capt.  LAtHKoF,  and  Capt.  Bbrrs^  were  sent  in 
pursuit  of  them,  who  within  about  three  miles  of  Hat- 
field, overtook  and  attacked  themj  but  the  force  of  the 
English  being  greatly  inferior  to  that  of  the  enemy,  the 
former  were  defeated  and  driven  back  to  the  main  body  ; 
%»hich  enabled  the  enemy  (who  hail  in  the  late  engage- 
inent  been  detached  from  their  main  body)  to  join  Pi»/x- 
IP.— On  the  18th  September,  information  lyas  ^received 
^y.  Major  Willjrd  that  the  enemy  had  successfully  ac< 
tacked  and  defeated  the  troops  tinder  the  command  of 
C&^K,  Lathrqp i  that  they  were  arobusiied  and  unex- 
pectedly surrounded  by  1000  of  the  enemy,  to  whom 
they  all  (except  three,  who  escaped)  fell  a  sacrifice  !— 
The  defeat  of  Capt.  LAtHHop  took  place  in  the  neigh- 
Jborhood  of  Deerfield,  for  the  defence  of  which,  there 
was  an  English  garrison,  which  the  Indians  were  about 
4a.  attack  when  Major  Willard  happily  arrived,  on  the 
approach  of  whom,  the  Indians  fled* 

On  the  loth  October  following,  a  party  of  PaiUf's^ 
Indians  successfully  assaulted  the  town  of  Springfieldy 
which  they  pilliged  and  set   fire,  to,  killing  about  40   of 
the  inhabitants.— On  the  14th  they  assailed  the  town  qf 
liatfieid,  in  which  two  companies  under  the  command  of 
Capt*  MosELYy  and  Capt.  Appleton,  were  stationed  j 
Ihe  enemy  continued  the  attack  about  two   hours,  when 
^ding  tii«  fire  of  the  English  too  warm  for  them,  they 
lied,  leaving  a  number  t»f  their  party  behind  them-dead. 
f    Philip  now  finding  hlijhse if  closely  pursued  by  a  large 
^d  formidable  boty  of  i|»  English,  deemed  it  prudent 

•*^'l»,.^^j  i.:_ 5^_  < -j.4'yjt  l: t_»  -1 f        •  .  ._   _ 

\c  reotain  until  the  Ensuing  spring.  ^ 


d|  to  whater^r 


But  the  Commissioners  of  the  Unllecl  Colonies,  dixlf 
reflecting  on  the  deplorable  situation  of  their  defenceless 
brethren  throughout  tlje  countr/r  Qvvare  that  there  were 
then  a  muqh  greater,  number  of  their  savage  enemies 
embodied,  than  at  uny  former  period,  who,  if  suffered 
peaceably  to  retire  into  winter  quarters,  might  prove  too 
powerful  for  them  the  spring  ensuing,  resolved  to  attack 
the  whole  force  under  Philip  in  their  winter  encamp- 
ment—lor the  purpose  of  which,  every  Englishman  ca- 
pable of  behring  arms,  was  commanded  (by  Proclanmliort 
of  the  Governor)  to  hold  himself  in  readiness  to  march  at 
the  shortest  notice.—The   lOih  of  December,  was  thd    ; 
day  appointed  by   the  Commissioners  on  which  the  de- 
cisive blow  was  to  be  given— six  companies  were  imme-  i 
diately  raised  in  Massachusetts,  consisting  in  the  whole 
of  527  men,  to  the  command  of  which  were  appointed 
Captains   Moselt,  Gabdenkr,  Davenport,   Olivkr, 
and  JoHNS0N-»five  companits  >vere  raised  in  Connecti- 
fcut,  consisting  of  450  men,  to  the  command  of  which 
were  appointed  Captains  SIelt,  MAsoN,OALLoi',WAW^. 
and  Marshall — two  companies  were  likewise  raised  iii 
Plymouth,  consisting  of  ISOinen,  who  Were  commanded 
by  Captains  Rick  and  Coram  ;— three  Majors  of  the 
three  respective  division,  were  also  appointed,  to  wit  : 
Major  Appletom,  of  Massachusetts— Major  Treat,  of 
Connecticut— und  Major  Uradfohd,  of  Plymouth— the 

*  whole  force,  consisting  of  1 127  men,  were  corfimandetl 
by  Major-General  WiNSLow,  late  Governor  df  the  colo- 
nies.—On  the  7ih  December,  the  tombined  forces ?oom- 
xnericed  their  march  for  the  head-quarlers  of  the  enufrjy 
—at  this  inclement  season,  it  was  with  the  utmOstdtfS- 
cdlty  that  the  troops  were  enabled  to  penetrate   tKrO'ogli 

^    a  wild  andparthless  wood— on  the   morning  of  the  Sih 

fhavine  travelled  all  the  nrprpHino.  n i cr h » ^  >fe»»  j(v«i^;A.  .^y. 

frwiebordft' of  an  extensive  swamp,  in  wWcfe'l^P^ere  ' 


G 


Informed  by  their  guidea  ihe  enemy  were  encamped  to 
the  number  of  4000.-The  EngJish  (after  partaking  of. 
little  refresbment)  formeV  for  battlc.^Capt.  Moselt,  and 
C«pt.  Datenport,  ltd  iJ.e  vw,  and   Major  Afpletok, 
•nd  Capt.  Oliveh,  brought  up  the  rear  of  the  Maasa. 
chusetts  force»-«GciieraI  Winseow,  with  the  Plymouth 
troops  formed  the  centre-thc  Connecticut  troops  under 
the  command  of  their  respccti»e  captains,  together  with 
about  200  of  the  Mohecans,  commanded  by  Oneco,  (the 
son  of  Uncus)  brought  up  the  rear. 
It  was  discovered  by  an  Indian  sent  for  that   purpose, 
Ij;,.  that  in  the  centre  of  the  swamp  the  enemy  had  built   a 

m  very  strong  fort,  of  ,o  wise  construction,  that  it  was  with 

difficulty  that  more  than  one  person  could  enter  at  one 
t!me,^A'oout  10  o'clock,  A.  M.  the  English  with  the 
sound  of  the   trumpet  entered   the  swamp,   and  when 
withm  about  fifty  rods  of  their  fort,  were  met  and  ^tack- 
«d  by  the  enemy— the  Indians  in  their  usual  mftnnerr 
•houting  and  howling  like  beasts  of  prey,  commenced 
lh%.aiiack  with  savage  fury  ;  but  with  a  hedious  noise, 
the  English  were  not  to  be  intimidated  ;  charginc  theA 
vith  unt  iualled  bravery,  the  enemy  were  soon   glad  to 
^eck  shelter  within  the  walls  of  their  fort  ;^the  English 
III  iaviug  closely  pressed  upon  the  enemy,  jis  they  retreat- 

ed, now  in  turn  found  themselves  in   a  very  disagreeable 
iiiualion,  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  Indians  (who  were 
coveted  by  a  high  breastwork)  they  were  not  even  ena.     * 
Med  to  act  on  the  defensive—At   this  ciuical  juncture 
the  lion-hearted  Oneco,  with  the  assent  of  Gen.   Wini- 
Low,^ffcred(with  the  men  under  his  command)  to  scale 
the  waib  of  the  fort,  which   being  approved  ef  by  the 
Eog!^  commanders,  Onkco,   with  about   s\it^  picked 
men,  in  an  instant  ascended  to  ihc  top  of  the  ^Jk- f%«jre 
haviiigafair  chance  at  the  enei%,  they  «™y  t^i  ^     ^ 


tomahawks  end  discharged 


/>^ 


€efts  among  them,  as  in  a  very  «hort  time  (o  ihrow  (hem 
into  the  utmost  confusion ;  those  'who  attempted  to  es- 
cape from  the  fort,  were  'nstantly  cut  to  piects  by  the 
troops  wilhout<— the  enemy  fioding  tijemaelves  tims  hem- 
med in,  and  attacked  on  all  sides,  in  the  most  abject 
terms  Begged  for  qimrter,  which  was  denied  them  by  ih« 
English— a  great  proportion  of  the  troops  being  now 
mounted  on  the  walls  of  the  fort,  they  hud  Dotliing  to  da 
but  load  and  fire,  the  eneivy  being  pcnntd  up  and  hud- 
dled together  in  such  a  manner,  that  there  was  scarcely 
a  shot  lost— This  bloody  contest  was  of  n«ar  six  hours 
continuance,  when  the  English  perceiving  the  fort  filled 
with  nought  btit  dead,  or  such  as  were  mortally  wounded 
Sft  the  enemy,  closed  the  bloody  confiict. 

The  scene  of  action  at  this  instant  was  indeed  suoJi  ll 
could  not  fail  to  shock  the  stoutest  hearted  !— thf\  Juj^e 
logs  of  which  the  fort  was  constructed, .  were  '  pliHely* 
crimsoned  with  the  blood  of  the  enemy  aiie  .»*.  fur- 
rounding  woods  resounded  with  the  dying  groans  of  ta« 
^TQundtd. — The  number  of  slain  of  ihe  ^nemy  in  this 
•ever*  engagement,  could  not  be  ascertained,  it  was 
however  immense  ;  of  4000  which  the' fort  was  sup- 
posed to  contain  at  the  commencement  of  the  action, 
not  200  escaped  I  among  -  hpan  unfortunately  was  the 
treacherous  Philip, 

After  the   close   of  this  desperate  action,  the  troops 

(having  destroyed  all  in   their  power)  left  the  enemy's 

ground,  and  carrying  about  300  wounded  men  marched 

back  to  the  distance  of  sixteen  miles  to   heacfcc^uartc 

—the  night  proved  cold  and  stormy,  tho  snow:^U 

and  it  was  not  until  midnight   or  after  tbt^t  ilie  .. 

'Were  enabled  to  reach  their  place   of  desiinatjon—ftiiil^ 

of  the  woanded,  who  probably  otherwise  might  hate  f3* 

^ckM,  ptiished  with  the  cold    and   inconveniefpf  of  « 

Jpaich  so  fatiguing,  •' 


Although  the  destruction  of  so  great  a  number  of  thp 
pnemy  was  considered  of  the  greatest  importance  to  the 
English,  yet  it  proved  a  conquest  d^ly  botight^it  was 
obtained  at  the  expence  of  the  Uy|lj^^  not  only  a  great 
number  of  privates,  but  a  greit  i>TOportion  of  their  most 
valuable  officers;  among  Vhdm  were  Captains  Daven- 
port, Gabdmer,  Johnson,  SieLy,  and  Marshall— on 
enumerating  their  number  of  slain  and  wounded,  it  was 
found  as  follows  ;— 

OJ  the  companies  commanded  by 

'  '^^^ns  MosELY, .10  killed,    40  wounded. 

"^^  Oliver,    -  -  -  -  .20  -  -  -  -    48  * 

pAHDNEI^,      --.II....      32 

Johnson,    ....  18  ...  .    sg; 

Davenport,    -  .  15  .  .  .  •     19 

Gallop,  -----  28  -  -  -  -    45 

^  SiELV, -  32 .    50 

Watts,  ----19----33 
IVIa&on,  --...40.--.  50 
Marshall,  -  -  25  -  -  -  -  sr 
GoRAM,  ---.-30----41 

Sachem    Oneco,  -----  51  -  -  -  -    82 

.Total,  299  Total,  513 
The  courage  displayed  during  the  action  by  every 
part  of  the  army— the  invincible  heroism  of  the  officers 
—the  firh.ncss  and  resolution  of  the  soldiers,  when  they 
saw.  their  captains  falling  before  them— and  the  hardships 
endured  before  and  after  the  engagement,  are  hardly 
crajible,  and  rarely  find  a  parallel  in  ancient  or  modern 
pges  !— the  cold  (the  day  preceding  the  action)  was  ex- 
trenie,  and  in  the  night  of  which,  the  snow  fell  so  deep 
«»to  render  it  extremely  difficult  for  the  army  to  move 
the  day  succeeding ;— four  hundred  of  the  soldiers  were 
90  completely  frozen  as  to  be  unfit  for  duty  J—ihe  Coq- 
f*cpt;cut  troops  were  the  most  disabled,  liaving  endured 
a  tedious  inarch  without  halting  from  Stoningtoi)  to  tt| 


— 5S-^ 


place  of  public  rendezvous— they  sustained  too  a  mueli 
greater  loss  in  the  action,  in  proportion  to  their  niunbersi 
than  the  troops  of  the  otiier  colonies— the  bold  and  in- 
trepiij  Capt.  Mason  (who  received  a  fatal  wound  in  the 
action,  of  which  he  died  in  about  three  months  after)  was 
the  first  after  the  Mohegans  to  mount  the  walls  of  the 
fort,  nor  did  the  troops  under  his  command  fail  to  follow 
the  noble  example. 

The  loss  of  the  troops  from  Connecticut  was  so  great 
that  Major  Treat  conceived  it  absolutely  necessary  to 
return  immediately  home— such  of  the  wounded  as  were 
not  able  to  travel  were  put  on  board  a  vessel  and  convey- 
ed to  Stonington— the  troops  on  their  return  killed  and 
captnred  about  SO  of  the  enemy. 

The  Mf^ssachusetts  and  Plymouth  forces  kept  the  fkild 
the  greater  part  of  the  winter— they  ranged  the  country, 
took  a  number  of  prisonersi  destroyed  about  300  wig* 
irarms,  but  achieved  nothing  brilliant  or  decisive. 

The  Nipnet  and  Narraganset  tribes  being  by  the  late 
action  nearly  exterminated*  the  kw  that  survived  (by 
the  direction  of  Philip)  fled  in  small  parties  to  ^iiferenc 
parts  of  the  country,  improving  every  opportunity  lh.it 
presented  to  revenge  the  untimely  fate  of  their  breth.en* 
On  the  10th  February,  1678,  about  100  of  tUam  surpris- 
ed the  inhabitants  of  Lancaster  (Mass.)  a  part  of  whom, 
as  a  place  of  greater  safety,  had  the  day  previous  re- 
sorted to  the  dwelling  of  the  Rev.  Mr.  Rowland  ;  this 
however  being  constructed  of  dry  logs,  was  set  fit^  to 
by  the  Indians,  which  the  unfortunate  English  mh^'m 
being  unable  to  extinguish,  they  fell  victims  to  the  de- 
vouring flames— On  the  2 1st  the  enemy  attacked  th« 
inhabitants  of  Medfield,  32  of  whom  they  killed  am}  of 
^the  remainder  made  captives*  .: 

On  the  3d  March,  the  Indians  still  conlinuiftg  fheie 
depredations,  two  companies  of  cavalry,  under  the  conT* 


''IjV,, 


#s. 


inandofCapt.PyjRCB,  and  Capt.  Watwhs,  wer«  09^ 
dcredout  for  the  purpose  ofafFording  protection  to  tbo 
defenceless  inhabitants  of  towns  most  exposed  to  their 
incursions— on  the  5th  they  marched  to  Pautuxet,  near 
where  there  were  a  considerable  body  of  Indians  en- 
cacipedjwliom  on  the  morning  of  the   5th,  they  fell  ia 
wiih  and  attacked— the  enemy  at  first  appeared  but  few 
in  number,  but  these  were  only  employed  to  decoy  the 
English,  who  on  a  sudden  found  themselves  surrounde4 
by  near  500  Indians,  who,  with  their  tomahawks  and 
scalping  knives,  rushing  furiously  upon  them,  threaten- 
ed them  with  instant  destruction  I— The  English  now 
acting  upon  the  defensive,  although  surrounded  by  five 
tipies theirnumber,  fought  with'^llieir  usual  spirit,  an4 
were  resolved  to  sell  their  lives  at  as  dear  rate  as  possi- 
ble, they  were  very  soon  however  compelled  to  yield 
to  the  superior  force  of  their-  savage  enemies  ;  but 
five  escaped  !— This  victory,  though  of  considerable  im- 
portance to  the  savages,  cost  them  .a'  number  of  their 
bravest  warriors,  93  of  whom  were  the  proceeding  ^day 
found  dead  upon  the  field  of  action  ;  there  were  in  this 
engagement  about  20  friendly  Indians  with  the  English, 
vho  fought  like  desperadoes,  one  of  them  observing  Capt. 
Pl£BCE  unable  to  aland,  in  C^equence  of  the  many 
voundb  he  had  received,  for  rwarly   two  hours  bravely 
defended  him  5  when  perceiving  his  own  iminent  danger, 
and  ihs^l  he  could  afford  the  captain  no  further  assistance, 
by  blacking  his  face  as  the  enemy  had  done,  escaped  un- 
noticed. 

On  the  25th  March,  a  party  of  Indians  attacked  and 
burnt  the  towns  of  Weymouth  and  Warwick,  killing  a 
great  number   of  the  inhabitants.— ^On   the  10th   April 

following  they  pillaged  and  ^  burnt  Rehoboth  and  Provir 
ilcnGci- 

On  the  Ist  May  a  comjiany  of  English  and  150  Mo« 


% 


iiegansi,  under  command  o!  Capt.  Geohci  DEirNig«r. 

ed  by  the  eon  of  Miaktinomi  ;  on  the  8th  they  met 
ivith  and  attacked  them  near  Groton^thc  Indians  Tl 
parently  determined  on  victory  or  death,  displayed  an 
nnosuai  degree  of  courage,  but  the  English  and  Mohe 
gans  proved  too  strong  for  them,  who  after  dcst^oyinff 
the  greater  part  with  their  muskets  and  tomahawks 
drove  the  remainder  into  a  neighboring  river,  where  they 
soon  perished.  ^ 

On  the  23d,  CoKONCHBt,  Sachem  of  the  few  scattered 
temams  of  the  Narraganse^.    proposed  to   his  Council 
that  the  lands  bordering  c        .  neciicul  river,  not  inhab- 
ited  by  the  English,  should  be   by  them   planted  with 
corn,  for  their  future  subsistence  ;  which  being  approved 
of  by  the  ktter,  300  of  the  Narragansets  were  despatch- 
ed for  th,s  purpose,  the  Governor  being  apprized  of  their 
intentions  despatched  three  companies  of  cavalry  to  in- 
tercept then™ ;  about   100  of  the  Mohegans,  under  the 
command  of  One^o,  accompanied  the  English-ihe  ene. 
my  were  commanded  by  Cononchet  in  person,  who  first 
proceeded  to  Seconk  to  procure  seed  co r'n  ;  it  ^I  Tn  t"e 
neighborhood^of  this  place  that  they  were  first   mel  ^ 
^d  engaged  by  the  English  and  Mohegans^the  enemy 
mth  becoming  bravery  for  a  long  time  withstood  the  at- 
tack,  but  being  but  poorly  provided  with  weapons,  ther 
were  at  length  overpowered  and  compelled  to  y^eld  to  th« 
superior  power  of  their   enemles-in'  the   midst   of   1 . 
act  on  CoKo.cBKT,  fearful  of  .he  issue,  deserted  his  men  '  i 
and  attempted  to  seek  shelter  in  a  neighboring  wood,  but 
bemg  recognised  by  the  Mohegans,  they  pttrsued  him^ 
U>K0NCHET  percerving  fJimseH  nearly  ovetK^keo^V^y  hi* >- 
Pursuers,  to  facilitate  his  flight  first  tLeW  aWavM^^ 


and  then  his  silver  laccd  coat   (witti  jfhrch  hi 


t'wn  pr,^^cnted  by  the  English  a  few 


WS^:  i^n 


p- 


m^ 


'«**>. 


'^: 


t 


—56-: 


feut  finding  that  he  cov  -d  not  escape  from  hii  pursuers  b^ 
flight,  he  plunged  into  a  river,  where  he  was  even  follow- 
ed by  half  a  dozen  resolute  Mohegans,  who  laying  hold 
of  him  forced  him  under  water  and  there  held  him  until 
drowned.— The  loss  of  the  English  and  Mohegans  in  thiii 
engagement  was  12  killed,  and  21  wounded,  that  of  the 
enemy  wa?  43  killed  and  about  SO  wounded. 

The  inhabitants  of  New-London,  Norwich  and  Ston- 
ington,  having  frequently  discovered  a  number  of  the 
•^  enemy  lurking  about  in  small  bodies  in  the  adjacent 
woods,  by  joint  agreement  voluntarily  enlisted  them- 
selves (to  the  number  of  300)  under  the  command  of 
Major  Palmer,  and  Captains  Denison  and  Avery* 
who  with  the  assistance  of  the  Mohegans  and  a  few 
friendly  Narragansets,  in  three  expeditions  destroyed 
near  1000  of  the  enemy. 

On  the  8th  June  the  Indians  assaulted  and  burnt 
Bridgewater,  a  small  settlement  in  the  colony  of  Massa- 
chusetts J  forty  of  its  inhabitants  fell  victims  to  savage 
ilarbarity. 

The  Governor  and  Council   of  Massachusetts  colony," 
aware  of  the  danger  to  which  many  of  the  inland  settle- 
ments were  exposeia,  by  frequent  incursions  of  the  ene- 
my, and  finding  it  extremely  difiicuU  to  raise  a  sufficient 
^   force  to  oppose  them  in   the  many  parts  to  which  the 
fragments  of  the  broken  tribes  had  resorted,  adopted  the 
^     policy  of  sending  among  them,  as  spies,  such  Indians  as 
were  friendly  and  could  be  depended  on  ;  which  plan  had 
its  desired  eflfect— these  Indians  representing  the  force  of 
the  English  much  greater  than  it  really  was,  and  warn- 
ing the  enemy  of  danger  which  did  not  at  that  time  ex- 
ist,   deterred  from   acting    in   many   instances  on   the 
offensive.— One  of  the  friendly  Indians  returning  to  Bos- 

^ •.!._   in>u   'Tiilu     t<onr\t't»A  oo  f/tllrkU7c  !__thnt  a  lar?e 

ntimbcr  of  Indians  were  embodied  in  a  wood  near  hmi 


'^4 


^ 


%iiitt,  Ifrhiph  village  they  intended  to  attack  atici  burn  irt 
fc  few  days,  tliat  they  had  been  encouraged  to  continue 
IIWJ  war  irith  the^nglish  by  Frenchmen,  from  the  great 
lake,  who  had  sup^d  thtsm  <rith  fire-arms  and  amu- 
toilionl" 

On  the  receipt  of  this  importiht  information,  the  Gov- 
ernor dispatched  three  companies  of  cavalry,  under  the 
tommand  of  Major  SaVaoe,  for  the  defence  of  Lancaa- 
tcr,  who  unfortimately  by  mistaking  the  road  fell  intfk 
all  ambush  of  about  350  Indians,  by  whbin  they  were 
instantly  surrounded^thfe  English  exhibited  great  pre- 
fffehce  of  mind,  and  repelled  the  attack  of  the  enemy  in 
ft  very  heroifc  manner;  the  saVage6  bein^  however  well 
provided  with  fire  arms,  iobn  gained  a  complete  victory 
bver  the  English,  whose  loss  in  this  unfortunate  engage- 
ment was  fifty.four!— the  number  M  killed  and  woundi 
ed  of  the  enemy  could  not  be  au^o^ained  as  they  re- 
malned  masters  of  the  field  of  action*    , 

On  the  15th  a  severe  engagement  took  place   betweeii 
a  company  of  English  cavalry  and  about  300  of  the  cn- 
tmy,  near  Groton— the  latter  were  not  perceived  by  the 
former,  until  they  were  within  a  few  paces  of  them  (the 
Indians  having  concealed  thetnselves  in  the  bushes)  wiieii 
suddenly  issuing  forth  with  a  hideous  yell,  the  cavalrw 
were  thrown   into  confusion,  but  instantly  foi-ming  and 
charging  the  enemy  with  great  spirit,  they  fled  in  every 
direction— the  cavalry,    in  attempting  lo  pursue  them, 
Were  once   more   artibushed  ;  the  contest  now  became 
close  and  severe,  the  Indians  having  succeeded  in  de- 
coying the  English  into  a  thick  wood,  attacked  them 
with  great  fury  and  success,— The  commander   of  the 
English  being  killed,  every  man  sought  his  own  safely— 
J  s-s-.^  ijr_  ui  vTHjcn  cne  coutpuuy   was   composed,  but  ^ 
twelve  escaped!— the  loss  of  the  enemy  wti*  fm^f.'^^ 
Supposed  to  be  much  greater* 

If  ' 


■'   1 


Ife 


On  the  ISth  August  a  party  ef Indians  enterMV  thf 
town  of  Westfield,  killed  and  took  several  of  the  in« 
habitants  prisoners,  and  burnt  several  houses.— Three  of 
them  soon  after  made  their  aippearance  at  a  house  near 
.taid  town  and  fired  at  the  man  at  his  door,  who  fell  j  they 
nn  towards  him,  and  one  of  them  stooping  to  scalp  him, 
he  was  saluted  by  the  man's  wife,  with  a  stroke  from  a 
large  hatchet,  which  went  so  completely  into  his  body, 
that  at  three  different  efforts  she  could  not  disengage  iit 
and  the  Indian  made  off  with  it  sticking  in  him  i  a  se« 
eond  Indian  also  made  an  atteniptj  when  she  by  a  well 
directed  stroke  with  a  stick  she  had  got,  laid  him  on  the 
ground  ;  the  third  then  run,  and  the  other,  as  soon  as  he 
had  recovered  his  feet,  A>llowed  the  example,  on  which 
the  woman  took  her  husband  in  her  arras  and  carried 
him  into  the  house,  where  he  soon  after  recovered. 
•  On  the  I7th,  a  party  oflndians  commenced  an  attack 
on  Northampton,  but  there  behig  a  number  of  English 
aoldiers  therein  stationed,  the  enemy  were  repulsed. 

On  the  20th,  a  number  of  the  inhabitants  of  Spring- 
field were  attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians  as  (hey  were 
returning  from  divine  service,  and  although  the  former 
Were  provided  with  fire*arms,  the  enemy  succeeded  in 

'  making  prisoners  of  two  Women  and  several  children, 
4rhom  they  soon  after  inhumanly  tomahawked  and  scalp- 
ed ;  in  which  situation  they  Were  the  succeeding  day  found 
by  a  party  of  English  sent  out  in  pursuit  of  the  enemy 
—one  of  the  unfortunate  women  (afthough  shockingly 
mangled)  was  found  still  alive,  and  when  so  far  recovered 
as  to  be  enabled  to  speak,  gave  the  following  account  of 

'  the  fate  of  her  unfortunate  companions,  to  wit :— That 
they  were  first  conveyed  by  the  savages  to  a  tl\ick  wood* 
where  they  were  severally  bound  with  cords,  that  the 

.  IncUans  soon  afttr  built  a  fire  and  regailed  themselves 
yii%  what  they  had  previously  Btolen  from  the  Eng&sh  f 


I 


■\-  SWT' 


.#*  ■  i 


^  that  JK  after  a  warm  diapote  arose  between  thctn,  fe- 
j^lative»l^|Hhe  prisoners^  each  claiming  the  women  for  their 
squawppt'  wives)  that  thejr  at  length  proceeded  to  blowsf 
and  arter  beating  each  other  for  some  time  with  clubsi 
it  was  agreed  by  both  parties  (to  prevent  further  alterca- 
tion) that  the  women  should  be  put  to  death,  which  theyi 
as  they  supposed,  carried  immediately  into  exeeution  ; 
,«he  unfortunate  narrator  received  a  severe  blow  on  the 
head,  which  brought  her  senseless  to  the  ground,  and 
while  in  this  situation,  was  scalped  and  left  for  dead  by 
her  savage  enemies  !" 

The  inhabitants  of  Sudbury,  with  a  company  of  8ol« 
diers  under  the  command  of  Lieut.  Jacobs,  of  Marlbo- 
rough, alarmed  at  the  near  approach  of  the  enemy  (who, 
to  the  number  of  about  200  were  encamped  near  that  V 
place)  resolved  to  attack  ihem  at  night;  accordingly 
on  the  6th  September  they  marc-hed  within  View  of  them, 
and  at  night  (as  they  lay  extended  around  a  large  fire) 
.  approached  them  nnperccivcd  within  gun  shot,  when^ 
they  gave  them  the  contents  of  their  muskets  j  many  of 
those  that  remained  unhurt,  being  smMenly  aroused  Irc^ll^ 
their  slumbe§  by  the   yells  of  their  wounded  brethren, 
and  imagining  thit  they  were  completely  surroMitl.c^d  by 
the  English  (whom  the  darkness  of  the  night  pt^Vented 
their  seeing)  threw  themselves  intg  the  fire  which  they  , 
had  enkindled,  and  there  perished  ;  but  few  if  any  escap-^ 
cd— in  this  attack  the  English  sustained  no  loss* 

On  the  25th,  a  considerable  body  of  the  enemy  attack- 
ed the  inhabitants  of  Marlborough,  many  of  whom  iHey 
killed,  and  set  fire  to  their  houses— a  company  of  Eog- 
lish  who  had  been  ordered  from  Concord  for  tlie  defeneu 
of  this  place  were  cut  off  by  the  savages  aAd  totally  ;d^- 
&troyed — two  other  companies  despatched  from  Bc>«t6n,- 
for  liic  iiKc  purpGae,  men  wim  inc  3a<ii«^  iaiC-~-:£  ■»t>iivi5»v,u 
**i)*t  the  Governor,  on  learning  the  eituaiioB  qf'tl^  ^av 


fortunaje  inhabilami  of  M.rlboroueh,    (lemiojd   fai 

«.ln.  W.»,w„„,  and  S«,th.  who  b.fo«  .he,  ,rri»ea 
»<  .he,r  place  of  des.iuation.  were  informed  .ha.  .fie  ..,; 
age.  had  <,„i.  Marlboroneh.  a„^  proceeded  for  sSdb"7 
("»m.lesd.atan.)  which  induced  .h.  English  .o  alter 

-of  lh„, ,,  appeared  .ha.  ,he  enemy  had  beeq  ,p- ri«d 

they  ,ho„Id  reach  Sndbnry.  which  they  in  ,he  foIlo.fnR 
-Sir""',:''  f  ec.ed-ieamins'.hc  course  ^ 

wereordercd .o re.reat  in.o ,  neighboring  thicket aaaoon 

0.j.n»  m  the  field,  and.pre.^ming  .hem  to  be  bqt  few  io 

C?  !      °'  '"""  *'■"''  «'«''■  '««herous  btethre., 

%  concealed  and  prepared  to  give  their  pur«er,  a  wa™ 

lli     hS^        'JdtrThe'r '•''^""""^^  '*"'  '""' 
romr,!  ,7  '^'^  *«»•  tbem  J  111  ai)  instant  they  wer« 

completery  surrounded  and  attacked  on  all  sides  by  the 
savages  j  the  English  for  several  hp«rs  bravely  defended 
themselves,  but  at  length  were  borne  down  by  numbers 
far  superior  to  their  own^ihus  fell  the  brave  Capiiia 
WApswoHTH,  and  Captain  SaiixH,  as  weU  as  most  of 
me  troops  under  their  command. 

The  Indians  bordering  on  the  river  IVferrimack,  feei- 
ng t  emselves  injured  ,y  the  encroachments  of  theC 
Ijsh,  once  more  reassumed  the  bloody  tomahawk.  «hii 
ruu  ce^u  uuriea  for  a  numb^  of  years.-Oa  the  1st  N^ 


'— ™-".*jiwt„. 


^61-: 


f  tmber  they  in  a  considerabte  body  entered  the  vIlUge« 
of  Chelmsford  and  Woburn,  and  indiscriminately  put  td 
death  every  inhabitant  they  contained,  not  sparing  tlii 
infant  at  the  breast.    On  the  9th   they  burnt  the  house 
of  a  Mr  Eambs*  near  Concord)  killed  his  wife  and  threw 
her  body  into  the  flames,  and  made  captives  of  his  chil- 
dren*—>On  the  15th  they  took  prisoner  a  young  woman 
(sixteen  years  of  age)  who,  by  the  family  with  whom 
she  resided)  had  been  placed  on  a  hill  in  the  neighbour- 
hood of  their  dwelling  to  watch  the  motions  of  the  ene. 
my-*<*the  account  which  the  young  woman  gave  of  her 
capture  and  escape  was  as  follow  :•— that  *'  on  the  morn- 
ing of  her  capture,  the  family  having  been  informed  that 
It  party  of  Indians  had  the  day  previous  been  discovered 
in  a  neighboring  wood,    she  (by  their  request)  ascend* 
ed  a  hill  near  the  house  to  watch  their  motions,  and 
alarm  the  family  if  seen  approaching  the  house ;  thit  ' 
about  noon  she  discovered  a  number  of  them  aicendii^ 
Ihe  hill  in  great  haste,  that  she   immediately  thereupog|| 
fitt^mpted  to  evalle  them  by  retiring  into  a  thicket,  but 
that  the  Indians  (who  it  appeared  had  before  ob8erve4* 
her)  found  her  after  a  few  moments  search,  and  compel- 
led her  to  accompany  them  to  their  settlement,  abont  40 
miles  distant— it  was  here  they  gave  her  to  unde^and 
she  must  remain  and  become  their  squaw,  and  dresa  and 
cook  their  victuals— that  she  remained  with  them  about 
l^hree  weeks,  during  which  time  they  made  several  ex»   - 
pediiions  againsfthe  English,  and  returned  with  a  greid 
number  of  human  scalps— that  on  the  night  of  the  (>tj|i,, 
December,  they  returned  with   six  horsesi  which   tbcfr 
had  stolen  from  the  English,  which  having  turned  mtm 
a  bimUl  enclosure  they  set  out  on  a  new  tp^peditioiifp* 
thafflie  viewed  this  as  a  favorable  opporttmil^  to  f»««sapt.. 


i-^a,  ;^;ie  cuUgni  anu  mcUiii^M 
aeS)  and  making  use  of  a  strip  of  bark 


she 


m' 


ft 


••-6S-P. 


# 


I*,- 


'..  ?•* 


Iwfletrated  a  wild  and  pathless  wood,  and  arrived  a| 
Concord  at  seven  o'clock  the  morning  proceeding,  hav. 
I^ravellcd  all  the  preceding  night  to  evade  the  pursuit 
of  the  enemy  !"—In  like  manner  did  one  of  the  children, 
of  Mr.  Eames  (of  whose  capture  mention  is  made  in 
the  preceding  page)  escape  from  the  Indian-^  although 
but  ten  years  oi  age,  he  travelled  sixty  miles  ttirough  an 
umnkabi(ed  wood,  subsisting  on  acrons  !         "^ 

On  (h^  1 2th  December  a  party  of  Indians  attacked 
w»d  killed  several  of  the  inhabUants  of  Bradford.  The 
tWernor  orMaasacliuaetts  colony,  for  the  protection  of 
fh«  defenceless  inhabitants  of  the  Merrimack,  ordered 
the  raising  an^  equipping  of  four  companies  of  cavalry, 
to  the  command  of  which  were  appointed  captains  Sill, 
HOLTOKE,  CuTLEa  and  Phentice. 

On  the  23d  the  above  troops  proceeded  for  the  borderf 
of  the  Merrimack,  and  on  the  26th  fell  in  with  a  con- 
oi  lerable  body  of  the  enemy  whom  they  engaged  and 
Hcowpletely  defeated — On  the  4th  January,  1679,  Capt. 
Pbi|wtice,  detached  from  the  main  body,  iell  in  with  and 
fngsged  about  100  of  the  enemy  in  the  neighborjiood 
^■\  #  Awberst,  whom  he  likewise  defeated,  but  with  conr 
sida||ble  loss  on  bis  part. 

On  the  6ih,  a  son  of  the  brave  Captain  Holyoke,  of 
Sprjnfjfield,  receiving  information  that  a  number  of  the 
enemy  in  small  bodies  were  skulking  about  in  the  woods 
t>')rdering  on  that  tOMrn,  with  twenty  resolute  young  mea- 
jttarched  out  to  attack  them— falling  in  with   a  considera- 

*  ble  body  of  them,  an  engagertient  ensued,  which  though 

*  severe  terminated  at  length  in  favor  of  the  English— 
the  Indians  bcihg  furnished   with  muskets,  were  unwil- 
ling  to  give  ground,  and  would   probably  h«ive  reined 
masters  of  the  field  had  not  the  English  received  ^Rin- 

furcement  which  nnr  th#>«n  »n  fl;.i.t.» »u^  i_. r  .i.^  i?__ 

hsh  in  the  engagement  wj^^ncilled  and  9  wounded,  auJ 


* 


^^r  ' 


tW  of  ihe  enemy  33  killed,  and  between  90  arid  ^ 
wounded. 

The  lavages  were  no  longer  confined  to  any  particular 
tribe  or  place,  but  in  parties  from  50  to  SCO,  were  scat* 
tcred  all  bver  the  thinly  inhabited  parts  of  NeW'England 
»-a  considerable  body  of  them  were  yet  in  the  neighbor, 
hood  of  Hadley,  Deerfield  and  Northampton,  where  they 
were  continually  commiting  their  wanton  acts  of  bar- 
barity.'—Several  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  towns  abovt 
mentioned,  duly  reflecting  on  the  danger  to  which  they 
and  their  families  were  daily  exposed>  formed  themselves 
into  several  companies  and  made  choice  of  their  com- 
manders.«>On  the  4ih  February,  receiving  information 
that  there  were  near  200  Indians  embodied  in  a  swamp 
in  the  neigborhood  of  Deerfield,  the  above-mentioneti 
force  marched  to  attack  them  \  arriving  within  view  of 
them  about  day*break,  they  discovered  them  in  a  pro* 
found  sleep  stretched  out  upon  the  ground  arc^md  their 
fire— the  cavalry  immediately  thereupon  alighted,  and 
after  forming  themselves,  approached  them  #ithin  pistol 
shot  before  they  were  discovered  by  the  enemy ;  whO) 
being  suddenly  aroused  from  their  slumber,  and  a«|p8l(>. 
ished  at  the  unexpected  appearance  of  so  many  ht'.t^li'-' 
enemies,  fell  an  easy  prey  to  the  English,  who,  wit)!^|t 
the  loss  of  a  man,  killed  130  of  them  ;  the  remainder,  ai 
the  only  means  of  escafW,  haying  plunged  into  \  river, 
where  probably  many  of  them  perished.' 

Although  the  English  atchieved  this  action  without  an^r 
loss  on  their  part,  they  were  on  their  return  unhappily 
ambtt&hed  by  about  400  of  the  enemf — the  English  hav« 
ing  expended  all  their  ammunition  in  the  late  engage* 
mentyjAd  beiri|;  much  fatigued,  were  now  in  turn  likel|t 
to  fall  an  easy  prey  to  their  enemies,  who,  with  ihcii* 
liiuodj  knives  Hiid  tuuiahttwkb,  fur  iiie  space  of  tin  hour, 
ftUacked  them  with  the  greatc&t  suceess—no^  one  of  tte 


.•f  •,< 


1 


r 


f 


>■ 


tngKAh  It  !l  probable  #oi)Id  havd  sufHved  this  hioodjf 
and  unexper  )  attack,  had  it  not  been  for  the  ))re9enc6 
bf  ttoind  of  iheir  urate  cofnmander  (Capt.  Holyoks,) 
#ho  bf  a  «tfat  sgetH}  auccccded  iti  saving  a  par^'^of  them 
^Capt4  HOLToxB  had  his  horse  killed  uhder  him,  and 
At  one  Utn«  was  attacked  hf  five  of  the  enemy,  whom  he 
b6at  off  *  Uh  his  cutlass  ;— 4he  loss  of  the  English  in  this 
unfortunate  action  was  5 1  killed  and  84  if  ounded,  many 
of  the  latter  survived  the  actioh  but  a  few  days—- the  de^ 
feat  and  destruction  of  th^  English  in  this  engagement 
%ras  much  to  be  lamented,  as  among  the  slain  were  the 
heads  of  several  /amilies,  who  had  volunteered  their  Ser* 
f  hres  in  defetace  of  their  infant  settlements; 

On  the  1 0th  sevetal  hundreds  of  the  enetny,  encouN 
aged  by  Ihcir  late  success,  appeared  before  Hatfield  and 
fired  several  dwelling-houses  without  the  fbrtificatioh  of 
the  town-^thi^  ihhabitahts  of  Hadley  being  seasonably 
ipprized  of  th'^  situation  of  ib-tir  brethren  at  Hatfield,  a 
number  of  them  voluhttered. their  services  and  marched 
lo  their  relief—- the  Indians,  as  they  Were  accustomed  td 
do  on  the  approach  of  the  English,  lay  flat  on  their  bel- 
lies until  the  latter  hAd  advanced  within  bow  shot,  Wheii 
partly  rising,  they  discharged  a  hhower  of  arrows  amtmg 
litem,  which  wounded  several  of  the  Engliiih  ;  but  they^ 
1hfetv.|ng  wisely  reserved  their  fire,  now  in  turn  letelled 
their  pieces  with  the  best  effect  before  the  savages  had 
time  to  recover  their  iegsi  about  30  of  whom  weriB  iti* 
atantly  despatched  and  the  remainder  dispersed. 

On  t^e  15th  February,  the  Governor  ot  Massachuseltat 
colony  receiving  information  that  the  Indians  were  jcol- 
Iccting  in  great  numbers  under  the  immediate  jtuidance 
of  PaiLip,  near  Bfookfield,  despalchfed  Capt.WtNCH* 
HAN,  with  50  itocn  to  dislodge  them ;  who  proceedlrrg 
first  to  Hadley,  •  was  joined  by  a  company  of  cavalry 
from  Hartford^oA  the  20th  they  discovered  and  attack^ 


— 6J— 


4 


»  ■ 

td  li  party  of  Indians  near  Lancaster,  they  killed  fiHy 
of  them,  and  took  between  fifty  and  sixty  of  their  squawa 
and  children  prisoners— Capt.  IUncuman  on  his  Way  to 
Brookfield  discovered  ihe  dead  bodies  of  several  of  hia 
counirymen  half  consumed  by  f«re,  who  it  appeared  had 
k  few  days  previous  fallen  victims  to  the  wanton  barbai  u 
ty  of  the  savages* 

The  scattered  remains  of  the  enemy  beiog  now  so 
completely  harrassed  and  driven  from  ph  ce  to  pi  "C  by 
the  English,  a  number  of  them  resorted  :ri  he  v  stern 
tountry,  then  inhabited  by  the  Mohawks  ;  t  tiie  latter 
being  on  friendly  terms  with  the  English  and  Dutch,  vfho 
were  settling  among  them,  were  unwilling  to  harbor  their 
(enemies,  and  consequently  attacked  a  considerable  body 
of  them  on  the  5ih  March  ;  the  engagement  was  a  htvfft : 
one-^the  fugitive  Indians  being  furnished  with  fire-arite^ 
repelled  the  attack  of  the  Mohawks  with  a  becoming 
spirit,  but  were  at  length  overpowered  and  completel/ 
defeated—* the  loss  on  both  sides  was  very  great* 

On  the  20ih  the  Indians  took  a  Mr*  Willet  pfisoij^ei*, 
hear  Swanzey,  and  after  cutting  ofif  his  nose  and  tars 
set  him  at  liberty  !— On  the  23d  ihey  made  prisoners  of 
the  family  of  a  Mr.  Barney,  of  Hehoboth,  consistittg 
of  himself,  wife  and  six  children— two  of  the  youngMi: 
of  the  latter  they  killed  and  scalped,  and  threw  theiit' 
Inangled  bodies  to  their  dogs  to  devour  ! 

On  the  28th,  a  negro  mah   who  ha  a  been  for  seVer&l 

fnonths  a  prisoner  among  the  savages,  ^^faped  from,  them 

and  returned  'o  the  English,  to  whom  4>e   gap^c  the  foli 

lowing  information,  to  wit :— that  the  ent^my  were  CQ«- 

certing  a  plan  to  attack  Taunton,  and  the  viilages  ai^a- 

cent-rflhat  for  this  purpose  there  were   itien   embodied 

near  Worcester,  1000  of  them,  at  the  head  of  whom  waa 

FuiLip,  and  that  near  one   hundred  of  them  were  lur« 

nisbcd  with  fire  itrms— that  a  few  days  previous  to  his. 

I 


%i 


—66^ 


A- 


.■¥ 


escape,  a  scoaling^  patty  arrived  and  brought  in  wHh 
them  two  prisoners  and  three  human  scalps  I — To  frus- 
trate the  inteniions  of  the  enemy  the  Governor  of  Mas- 
sachusetts colony  dispatched  three  companies  of  cavalry 
for  the  defence  of  Taunton. 

The  English  of  Connecticut  colony,  although  but  lit- 
tle troubled  with  the  enemy  sincd  the  destruction  of  th« 
Pequots,  were  not  unwilling  to  afford  their  brethren  all  the 
assistance  possible  in  a  protracted  and  bloody  war  with 
ihc  common  enemy— they  --.coidingly  furnished  three 
•tompanies  of  cavalry,  who  under  command  of  the  ex- 
perienced Major  Talcott,  on  the  5th  April  proceeded 
.id  the  westward  in  search  of  the  enemy— on  the  1 1th 
flfey  fell  in  whh  attacked  and  defeated  a  considerable 
y  of  them— apparently,  by  the  special  direction  of 
re  providence,  May  Talcott  arrived  in  the  neigh- 
hood  of  Hadley  in  time  to  preserve  the  town,  and 
save  its  inhabitants  from  total  destruction  !-^ihe  savages 
to  the  number  of  500,  were  on  the  eve  of  commencing 
an  attack  when  they  were  met  by  the  Major,  with  the 
troops  under  his  command  ;  this  unexpected  relief  ani- 
mating the  few  inhabitants  which  the  town  contained} 
ihey  hastened  to  the  assistlnce  of  the  cavalry,  who  at 
this  moment  v^ere  seriously  engaged  with  the  w'lole  body 
of  the  enemy— the  savages  having  gained  some  signal 
advantag^es,  victory  for  a  considerable  length  of  lim.e  ap- 
peared likely  to  decide  in  l^ieir  favor— fortunately,  the 
inhabitants  of  Hadley  having  for  their  defence  a  few 
weeks  previous  procured  from  boston  an  eight  pounder, 
it  was  at  this  critical  period  loaded  by  the  women,  and 
being  mounted  was  by  them  tjuveyed  to  the  English, 
which  (being  charged  with  small  shot,  nails,  &c.)  was 
by  the  latter  discharged  with  the  best  effect  upon  the 
enemy,  who  immediately  thereupon  fled  in  every  direc- 
tion—thus it  was  that  the  English  in   a  great  measure 


WM 


/- 


owed  the  preservation  of  their  lives  to  tlie  unexampled 
heroism  of  *  few  women  ! 

The  Governor  and  Council  of  the  United  Colonies, 
taking  under  serious  qonsideraiion  the  miraculous  escape 
of  ihe  inhabitants  of  Hadley  from  total  desiruction,  and 
the  recent  success  of  the  arms  of  the  English  in  various 
parts  of  the  country,  appointed  the  snh  day  of  August, 
1679,  to  be  observed  throughout  the  Colonies  as  a  d?y 
of  Public  Thanhgwing  and  Praise  lo  Almjghtv  Goj>  ; 
—this,  it  may  be  well  to  observe,  was  the  commence- 
ment of  an  annual  custom  of  our  forefathers,  which  lo 
the  present  day  is  so  religiously  observed  by  their  de- 
scendants throughout  the  New-England  sutcs. 

On  the  3d  September,  the  Connecticut  iroops  ui9 
command  of  Major  Talcott,  and  captains  X)knn 
and  New  BURT,  proceeded  to  Narraganset  m  quest 
enemy*  who  to  the  number  of  about  300  had  been 
covered  in  a  piece  of  woods— -the  English  were   accom- 
panied by  their  faithful  friend  Oneco,  with    100   Mohe- 
gans  under  his   command. — In   the   evening  of  the   5th 
they  discovered  the  savages   encamped  at  the  foot  of  « 
steep  hill,  on  which  Major  Talcott  made  arrangements 
for  an  attack — the  Mohegans"  were  ordered   by  a  cit<^«^J- 
tous  route  to  gain  the  summit  of  the  hill  tp  prevent  th*. 
flight  of  the  enemy— two  companies  of  cavalry  were  or- 
dered to  fiank  them  on  the  right   and  left,  whiltt  Major 
Talcott,  with  a  company  of  foot  siationcd  hrmsclf  in 
their  rear — having  thus  disposed  of  his  forces  a  signal 
Vas  given  by  the  Major  for  the  Mohegans  to  commence 
the  attack,  which   they  did  and   with  suclj  spirit   (ac- 
companied  by   their  savage   yells)  that  had*tbe   enemy 
been  renowned  for  their  valour,  they  muM  have  been  to^^ 
the  highest  degree  appalled  at   so  unexpected  un'  Ml^'l 


the  enemy  were  attacked  on  the  right  anc}   left .i^.;||ife;^^f 


.^fi. 


•  V 

#» 


i- 


pavalrjr,  whp  with  their  cutlasses  made  great  b^VQck  a- 
mong  them  ;  they  were  however  unwilling  to  give  ground 
until  they  had  lost  nearly  one  half  their  number,  whei| 
they  attcmptttt  a  flight  to  a  swamp  in  their  rear,  but 
here  they  were  met  by  Maj.  Talcott,  with  the  com- 
pany of  foot,  who  gave  them  so  warm  a  reception  that 
they  once  more  fell  back  upon  the  Mohegans,  by  whom 
they  were  very  soon  overpowered  and  would  have  been 
totally  destroyed  had  not  Major  Talcott  humanly  in- 
terfered in  their  behjilf,  and  made  prisoners  of  the  k\f 
that  remained  alive  ;-.among  the  latter  was  their  leader, 
a  squaw,  commonly  termed  the  queen  of  Narraganset  j 
a«4among  them  an  active  young  fellow  who  begged  to 
*?5,^^^^^'*^^  'n^o  t^e  hands  of  the  Mohegans,  that  they 
't  put  him  to  d^ih^n  their  own  way,  and  sacrifice 
to  their  cruel,  genius  of  revenge,  in  which  they  sq 
h  delighted  l—The  English,  although  naturally  a- 
verse  to  acts  of  savage  barbarity,  were  not  in  this  in- 
»iance  unwilling  to  comply  with  the  voluntary  although 
unnatural  request  of  the  prisoner|  as  it  appeared  that  he 
had  in  presence  of  the  Mohegans  cxultingly  boasted  of 
having  killed  19  of  the  English  with  his  gun,  since  the 
coxTjmencement  of  the  war,  and  after  loading  it  for  the 
'-^h  (there  being  no  more  of  the  latter  within  reach) 
he  levelled  at  a  Mohegan,  whom  he  killed,  which  com- 

"iileting  his  number,  he  was  willing  to  die  by  their  hands  I 
.«  €^^^^  Mohegans  accordingly  began  to  prepare   for  the 

^ra^ical  event— forming  themselves  into  a  circle  (admit-     » 
ingksmany  cftlie  English  as  were  disposed  to  witness 
thejj?»««vage  proceedings)  the  prisoner  was  placed  in  the 

.  t:#nire,  when  one  oi  till  Mohegans,  who  in  the  late  en- 
tjagemcnt  had  lost  a  son,  with  his  knife  cut  off  the 
prisoners  ears  !  then  his  nose  I  and  then  tlie  fingers  of 
*ach  hand  I— and  after  the  relapse  of  a  few   mornenis, 


u 


<tu'?  out  his 


t:yes  and  filled  their  sockets  with  hot  e^.^ 


■-■■;■•**■ 


—69^ 


A 


bersPj-alth^gh  the  few  English  prestnt  were  oyeV.' 
come  irith  a  view  of  a  scene  so  shocking  to  humanity, 
yet  the  pH#oner  (so  far  from  bewailing  his  fate)  seemed 
to  surpass  his  tormentors  in  expressions  of  joy  I^when 
nearly  exhausted  with  the  loss  of  blood,  and  unable  long- 
er to  stand,  his  executioner  closed  the  tragic  scene  by 
jbeating  out  his  brains  with  a  tomahawk  ! 

The  few  Indians  that  now  remained  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Plymouth  colony,  being  in  a  state  of  starvation, 
they  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  to  the  English  j 
one, of  whom  being  recognized  as  the  pei-aon  who  had  • 
few  days  previous  inhumanly  murdered  the  daughter  of 
Mr.  Clarke,  was  by  order  of  the  Governor  pubj 
executed  ;  the  remainder  were  retained  and  treaic* 
prisoners  of  war— By  the  assistance  of  one  of  the 
soners,  who  served  as  guide,  20  more  of  the  enemy  we,^ 

on  the  proceeding  day  surprised  and  taken  prisoners  by 
the  English. 

The  troops  under  the  command  of  Major  Bradfoho^ 
andCaptainsMosEty  and  Brattle,  on  the   15th  Sep- 
tember surprised  and  look  150  of  the  enemy  prisonei-* 
pear  Pauluxet,  among  whom  was  the  squaw  of  the  cele«. 
bratcd  Philip— and  on  the  day  proceeding,  learning  that 
the  enemy  in  considerable  bodies  were  roving  about   id 
me  woods  near  D<;d5iam,  Major  Bradford   despa^ed 
*%T'^"^'^'^*'^  ^'ih  fifiy  men  to  attack  them  ;  who,  th« 
_  ^«y  following,  fell  in  with  and  engaged  about   100  of 
/       them«-as  hatchets  were  the   only  weapons   with   which 
they  were  provided,  they  made  but  a  feeble  dcfencfe,  and 
were  soon  overpowered  by  the  Engl^,  who  took  74,  of 
them  prisoners,  the  remainder  having  faflen  in  theactioa 
—the  loss  of  the  English  was  two  killed  and  five  wounde^J 
r-thc  above  party  was  commanded  bf  a  bloodthirsty  Sa- 
chcm,  called  Pom  ham,  renowned  for  W»  bddiiy  strength, 
1»J)ich  exceeded  that  of  any  of  his  courffHtucver  met 


*       Hf 


# 


m 


«i|ith<<-he  bravely  defended  himself  to  the  last,  Ijietng 
ifvounded  in  the  breast,  and  unable  to  stand,  he  seized 
one  of  the  soldiers  while  in  the  act  of  despatching  him 
with  the  butt  of  his  gun,  and  hy  whom  he  would  have 
been  strangled,  had  he  not  been  fortunately  resqued  by 
one  of  hi^  comrades. 

A  general  famipe  now  prevailing  among  the  enemy, 
in  consequence  of  being  deprived  of  an  opportunity  to 
plant  their  lands,  numbers  were  daily  compelled  by  hui)* 
ger  to  surrender  themselves  prisoners  to  the  English, 
among  whom  was  aNipnet:)acheni»  accompanied  by  ISp 
of  his  tribe.  ^^ 

On  the  12th  October,  C'^pt.  CpuRCH,  with  fifty  soldiers 
ftnd  a  few  friendly  Indians  under  his  command,  attacked 
«nd  defeated  a  party  of  the  enemy  near  Providence— and 

I  the  day  following  (conducted  by  Indian  guides)  dis- 
covered a  considerable  body  of  the  enemy  encamped^in 
a  swamp  near  Pomfret ;  a  friendlf  Indian  first  espyifig 
themt  commanded  them  to  surrender,  but  the  enemy  did 
not  appear  disposed  to  obey  ;  beings  sheltered  by  farg? 
trees,  ihey  first  discharged  their  arrowf,  among  the  Eng- 
^,^  4ish,  and  then  with  a  terrible  y^U,  attacked  them  with 
their  long  knives  and  tomahawk?— the  English  meeting 
wilh^a  much  warmer  recepti^  tha%«vhat  they  expected^ 
gaw  ground,  but  being  raUiedt  by  their  old  and  expe^, 
enced  commander,  Capt.  Church,  they  rushed  upon  tftei 
Hfft^^such  impetuosity  thaf  the  enemy  were  thrown  into  ^* 
<^n|ilsion  and  dislodged  from  their  coverts— the|Aetion  * 
continued  about  an  hour  mm  a  quarter— the  Engliwy|^, 
7  men  killed,  and  J^  wounded,  among  the  latter  lte|p 
brave  commander,  who  received  an  arrow  through  his 
left  arm— the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  32  killed   and  be- 

ftwcen  60  and,  70  wounded. 
Ob  the  2QHi.  tolbrmation  was  forwarded  the  Governor 
andCouHWiii|iill|efi»moua  Philip  (who  had  beenC^ife  a 


^# 


>'!-i'' 


''V 


-^1— 


'■\:4: 


long  time  BUulking  about  in  the  woods  hear  M<lunt.Hob«:- 
ftiudh  d.sheart«)ed  by  the  ill  success  of  his  countryman) 
^tas  the  morning  preceding  discovered  in  a  swamp  near 
that  place,  attended  by  about  90   Seaconet  Indians  ;  on' 
which  the  brave  Capt.  Church,  with  his  little  band  ol  in- 
vincibles  were  immediately  despatched  in  pursuit  of  him 
— Capt.  Chuuch  was  accompanied  as  usual  by  a  number 
ofihe  Mohegans,  ami  a  few  friendly  Seaconet  Indians^ 
on  the  2rth  they   arrived   in  the   neighborhood  of  the 
swamp,  near  the  border  of  which  he  stationed  several  of 
the  Mohegans,  to  intercept  Philip  in  case  he  should  at- 
tempt  an  escape  therefrom.     Capt.  Church,  at  the  head 
ol  his  little  band,  now   with  unconquerable  resolution  ^ 
plunged  into  «he  swamp,  and  wading  nearly  to  his  waist 
m  water  discovered  and  attacked  the  enemy.— Tlie  In^ 
dians  were  nearly  100  strong,  but  being  unexpectedly  aU 
tacked  they  made  nj^jpsistance  but  fled  in  every  direct 
tion,  the  inaccessibre'slatc  of  the  swamp   however  pre- 
vented the  English  from  pursuing  them  with  success^ 
theif  dependence  was  now   upon  their  friends  stationed 
withoui-Bop  did  it  appear  that  those  faithful  fellows  suf- 
fered so  good  an  opportunity   to  pass  unimproved-tho 
report  of  their  muskets  convinced  Capt.  CHURc|i'-cai«t 
they  were  doing  their  duty— in  confirmation   ofiyhicfc,- 
he  was  very  soon  after  presented  with  the  head  of  kS* 

Philip  !  ! 

■It 

Philip,  it  appeared  in  attempting  to  fly  from  his  pms 
Buers,  was  recognised  by  one  of  the  English,  who   ha4 
been  stationed  with  the  Mohegans  to  intercept  him,   and 
at.whom  he  levelled  his  piece,  but  the. priming  being-un^ 
iortunateiy  wet  and  preventing  the  diachargc  thereof,  the,' 
ciunning  Sachem   would  yet  have  escaped  had  not  oni;  A^V- 
Ihe  brave  sons  of  Uncus   at   this  instant  given  h^|^ 
eorhenls  oi  his  musket  l—the  bail  went  directly  tfti^f^ 
^Jii^eaft  :-,and  thus  fell  by  the  hands  of  ^  faShfttl^  ^ 


« 


•s 


■ 


4 


%>•-■ 


V'" 


% 


—ra— 


gai)i  the  flfttnoui  Philip  !  who  wti*  the  pmjector  siia  Ifl* 
bligator  of  «  w«r  which  not  only  pi  uved  Kh>3  c»uso  ui'  hitf 
t>wn  destruction,  but  thdt  of  neatly  oil  hit  ivibe,  once  tha 
tnost  numerous  of  >ny  inhobiting  New^Englaud. 

It  WAS  At  thi>  important  instant  that  the  !':n,;ti6h  ve^mt 
tnade  witncsst^s  of  •  ramarkable  instance  of  savage  cus* 
torn— Onkco,  ou  karning  that  PHiiir*  had  fallcu  by  tlie 
handof  one  of  ?>i8lifibei,  «srgt>4  thitt  agreeable  to  their 
custom,  he  had  anundoui  t<^  mht  to  the  body,  und  a 
fight  to  feast  himself  with  a  isie? e  thtrtutj  I  which  the 
English  not  objecung  tu,  ha  ii^M'^micly  drew  his  long 
icnife  from  hii  girdle  and  vnih  ll  iit^tochcd  a  piece  of  flesh 
ffiDm  the  bleeding  body  of  l^aaxp,  of  about  one  pound 
^ei^tht,  which  he  broiled  and  eat,  in  the  mean-  time 
dttckk''ing  that  '*  /<«  h^^d  notjor  many  mows  eaten  any  thing 
'isi'th  *;  x'Qod  an  appetite  /"  The  head  of  Philip  was  de- 
Itched  Irom  his  body  asid  sent,t<by  Capl.  Ohuiwh)  to 
Boston,  to  be  presented  to  the  Governor  and  CojAfcil,  as 
^  valuable  troj^ihy.  Ifw ' 

The  few  hostik  Indians  that  now  remained  within  thd 
"Unittd  Colonic?,  conscious  that  if  so  fortunate  as  to 
^^vadc  the  vigilance  of  the  English,  they  must  soon  fall 
W.iims  to  the  prevailing  famine,  fled  with  their  families 
fi^  to  the  \vv8iw\rd  ;  thr  English  were  disponed  rather 
to  facilitate  than  prcvtut  ihoir  flight :  having  been  for  a 
number  of  years  engixgeu  i.i  a  destructive  and  bloody 
Har  with  ihcmj  they  wcrs  willing  that  the  few  that  re- 
mained alive  should  escape  to  a  countryi  so  f&r  distant 
that  there  waa  no  probability  of  their  returning  to  reaa- 
sumc  the  bloody  tomahawk  !— >impressed  with  this  idea, 
and  that  the  eifemy  were  complct  y  exterminated,  xliey 
were  uuuut  to  bui-y  the  iiatchet  «n>.'  -.t-n  their  attention  to 
fcgricul'.ural  porsuita^  when  by  an  express,  they  were  in- 
iormc'd  .ha  the  oati  iS  in  the  e»sicrn  piiri  of  ihcCOwitif 
(rioviticc  of  Maine)  hsid  unprovokedly  attacked  anfkkll* 


It 


■/-' 


m 


|«^  a  oMkmti  ftuffibcp  of  the  Englloh  Tn^that  qurt^^ 

T6  quench  the  nartie  tvhich  appeared  (o  be  enkindlinjy 
in  the  tm,  the  Govcrft6r  d.  />rttched  four  companle*  of 
cavalry  to  the  rHFefof  til,  mhn^nm  iiih.b(t«nt«.~Thd 
enemy  (v.ho  M^ere  of  the  Kerinebeck  cind  AmoscogftU, 
h'ibf 0  fcr,t  «t(acked  Wiih  tfttprecedcnted  fury  ,h.  de- 
^tmcefess  Inhabhrtht*  setUed  on  lf-inrfeb«ck    river,   th^ 
ttmt  of  «ht)m  were  destroyedi^f'^^  rfv^a]  by  them 
.^^'!  ."'t  ^."^  ^«''^"^t^c»',  about  7  0  Sf  ihrf  ^rtemy  attack- 
«d  <.hh  ibftlr  Mccttsfomed  fury  (accompany  h^lhelr  «av. 
age  yells)  the  inhabitants  of  Newchevvannick,  an  Koclish 
Bettllemcnt  stated  at  fe«r  tnlleg  from  the  nioufh  of  the 
ll'Z  ^^^;^'''^-^^^^'^  they   had  fully  accomplished 
rhei,^  heIH,h  p«rpt)ie,  they  tvere  aupri.ed  by  the  troops 
ient  from  UoBton,  bettreen  whom  a  most  blobdjr  enpa/c 

r.t!;";!!r\''u"*^^''  '"'""""'  encouraged  by  their  num. 
bers,  rfpell,^d  the  attack  of  the  English  in, so  heroic  a 
tritmtv,  Urn  (he  latter  were  very  soon  thrown  into  dJsor, 
der  end  driven  CM  of  town,  where  they  again  formed* 
raced  «bont  imd  in  torn  charged  the  enemy  witl.  uncon- 
querable  resom.ibn  !-fhe  contest  now  became  close  and 
•cfere,  the  sa««^M  with  tlieir  terrific  yells  dexlerioosff 
^hurled  their  tftWwhawks  among  the  English,  while  th« 
fetter.wrth  af  mwehdejtterlty,  attacked  and  mowed  thctn 
U«wn  wi«h  their  cmlasiWH  Ueach  were  apparently  ieter- 
iftiwdoll  i^efory  or  death  !-the  English  at  „ne  moment, 
unable  to  withstaml  the  rnvpetuosity  of  the  savages,  wni^rf 
give  groond-at  the  next,  the  latter  hafd  pushed  ^y  tbo 
^valry,  would  IWl-back^thus  for.  UiW^ptBt^f  two  hoon> 
did  Victor^F  appear  ballancing  between  the  two  contendil^feV 
pHrties-^the  fidd  of  action  was  covered  with  the  nMrH 
WfeUe  ih«  j«ljacenr  Woods  resounded  with  the  shneks  and 
m*T/  "'"  ^'^wnded'j-At  this  critical  juncure  the 
S  When  on  the  very  point  of  surrendering,  were 


W  : 


:i#, 


^   j| 


C4fi" 


%' 


I- 


p> 


providentially  prcsepved  by  a  stratagem— in  the  heat  nf 
the  action,  Major  Bradford  despatched  a  company  of 
cavalry  by  a  circuitous  route  to  attack  the  enemy  in  the 
rear,  wliich  had  the  most  happy  effect— the  enemy  sAia- 
pecting  this  company  a  reinforcement  of  the  English, 
fied  in  e?ery  direction,  leaving  the  English  masters  of  the 
field— thus,  after  two  hours  hard  fighting,  did  the  English 
obtain  a  victory  at  the  expence  of  the  lives  of  more  jhan 
half  their  number !— their  killed  and  wounded  amounted 
lo  ninety-nine  !— the  loss  of  the  enemy  was  not  ascer- 
tained, it. was  however  probably  three  tiroes  greater  than 
chat  of  the  English. 

The  day  proceeding  this  bloody  engagement,  a  ficu- 
tenant  with  12  men  were  sent  by  the  commander  to  the 
place  of  action  to  bury  their  dead,  when  they  were  a  few 
rods  therefrom,  unexpectedly  attacked  by  about  100  of 
the  enemy,  who  had  lain  ii^  ambush— the  lieutenant  or- 
dered his  men  to  reserve  thetf  fire  until  they  could  dis" 
charge  with  the  best  effect  upon  the  enemy,  by  whom 
they  were  soon  surrounded  and  •furiously  attacked  on  all 
sides  ;  the  savages  yelling  horribly,  brandished  their  long 
.  I^utves  in  the  air,  yet  crimsoned  with  the  blopd  of  their 
qountrymeui^the  brave  little  band  however  rem^ained 
firm  and  iwdaunted,  and  as  the  savages  approached  them, 
each  taking  proper  aim,  discharged  with  so  good^ffect 
upon  them,  that  the  Indians,  amazed  at  the  inst|||^eoua 
destruction  of  so  many  of  their  comrades,  fledlp  every 
direction — the  English  sustained  no  loss*  ^ 

On  the  5th  the  enemy  successfully  attacked  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  vill^^^^pf  Casco,  30  of  whom  they  killed 
and  made  prisoners  of  the  family  of  a  Mr.  Bracket,  who 
on  the  rth  in  the  following  manner  made  their  escs^  : 
—the  Indians  on  their  return  to  their  wigwarms,  learn- 


ftft*AAVA^ 


wUh  JM)cce»s  and  plundered  the  village  of  Arowaick,  19 


*' 


.  ./ 


lenjof  ashare  of  the  spoil  hastened  to  join  thent}  leavin|» 
the  prisoners  in  the  care  of  twft  old  men  and  three  squaws 
'^Mr.  Bracket,  whose  family  consisted  of  himselff 
wifey  three  small  children  and  a  negro  lad,  viewed  this  as 
a  favourable  opportunity  to  escape,  to  eifect  which,  he  re- 1 
<iue«ted  the  lad  to  attempt  an  escape  by  flight  which  (being 
uncomonly  active)  he  easily  effected  ;  the  plan  of  Mr. 
Brackbt  had  now  its  desired  effect,  as  the  old  men 
pt|^uing  the  negro,  left  him  and  his  family  guarded  on* 
ly  by  the  three  squaw s^  whom  (being  intoxicated)  he 
aoon  dispatched  and  returned  the  day  proceeding  with ' 
his  family  to  Casco,  where  the  Qegro  la^  haa  arrived 
4Some  hours  before. 

.  On  the  15lh  the  Indians  attacked  the  dwelling  housef 
of  a  Capt:  Bonithon,  and  Maj.  Philips,  situated  oa 
the  east  side  of  Casco  river— they  having  seasonable  no*' 
tice  of  th**  hostile  views  of  the  enemy,  the  family  of  the 
former  (as  a  place  of  greater  safety)  had  resorted  to  the 
house  of  the  latter  a  few  moments  previous  to  the  attack. 
•—The  savages  first  communicating  fire  to  the  house  of 
Capt.  Bonithon,  next  proceeded  furiously  to  attack  the 
dwelling  of  Maj.  Philips,  in  which  there  were  jM^out 
twenty  persons,  by  whom  it  was  most  gallantly  defended 
—the  enemy  had  their  leader  and  a  number  of  their 
p^rty  killed  by  the  fire  of  the  English— dispairing  of  tak- 
ing the  house  by  assault  they  adopted  anew  plan  to  com- 
municate fire  thereto— they  procured  a  carriage  on  which 
they  er,ected  a  stage,  in  f>'ont  of  which  was  a  barri'cadiOr 
rendered  bullet -proof,  and  to  which  long  poles  were  at- 
tached, nearly  20  feet  in  length,  to  the  ends  of  which 
were  affixed  every  kind  of  combustible,  such  as  birch 
r^ds,  straw,  pitch,  pine,  &c.— the  Indiaos  were  sheltered 
by  the  barricador  from  the  fire  of  the  Eoglish  whili^  they 
AnnrnA£hs«i  the  wsHs  c*^  th£  h'^'^sc  with   it^ft*  w»r^<^ft«— 

'&»  English  were  now  on  the  ^ve  of  despilria^^  Whtsi 


w 


■»•"■ 


mm 


"?ff7^" 


toanitely  one  of  the  „h..Is  or  •. 

;«""cl.  which  exposed  >be  X'-  '.^  '  pTt '""•P'""" 

t.fi™  !-.!«   unexpected  o,™,'  '«'J' «f  Judians  to  their 

round,  ,000  di.pe  Jd  th'e  t^'it' :"."  «'"■  '  ''"' 
*  loss.  *'""''  with  no  moot)  .i^nai^ 

.Jh;fc^'tMtv^'.i"''"?''«'^°''-''  "•'^■'o 

-*'ved  too  I,ie  ,0  „«•„,  ,  ,L  '^  '"  "";"•  «'"f.  but  ,f. 

"ou^c  reduced  ,0  1'^°"  «.i««noe,lhey  foutul  ,he 

"""ed  by  f;,e       '      ^     ""f'-'unale  f.miiy  h„f  <,„„, 

«.»  instance  o(  .he"„„,  '  h  l  "  '""' «P'ivity-« 
"«".tio«ed,  that  Xr  to'l  :  "^'  "  """"'  '«  ""^ 
«'« -"fortunate  Jom«  oflh  "'k^  '"'  "*''''"«  '»'  ""^ 
'"  ««e  dead  body  l^e"  1^^  r  *  *  '"°'^'  "''  "''  '" 
««"  .he  procecd^nldil  "''  '"      "'"  '«"'''-'  « 

r^-s'' tirdo.y'^^f;":  iblt  "-'-"i  ^"'""'«*' 

"•=  ravage,  of  the  cnL,  ^r  t  ■""  "  ''"'"  ""y"" 

'he  further  elfu,  J  '?     '^'  '"   ""'  **«''  »"''  '«  !    'v.nr 

P0^".o„eneo,7lo  the  rn:'"-'  *""  "'*-"•'  ""« 
""  "eighborhood  of  Kenned f^""^"  ""^  •""''^■'» 
'"f-med  the  main  body  oft       "*"  "'""  ""''  >^«« 


— yr-- 


tbem— the  cncmjr,  who  were  about  800  itrongi  appear- 
ed dispose*  .0  maintain  iheir  ground  :  they  fought  with 
all  the  fury  of  savagei,  and  even  aisailed  the  English 
from  the  top*  of  lofty  trees  which  they  ascended  for  the 
purpose  i  they  were  possessed  of  but  few  fire  arms,  but 
hurM  their  tomahawks  with  inconceivable  exactness,  and 
checked  the  progress  of  the  cavalry  with  long  spears  !-4 
victory  for  a  long  tima  remained  doubtiVl— the  ground 
^^being  covered  wit!  snow,  greatly  retarded  the    >rogre88 

f  the  troops,  who  probably  would  have  met  w.ih  a  de- 
feat had  not  a  fr*ih  compan  r  of  infantry  arrive*  in  time 
to  change  the  fortune  f  the  day— these  haying  remained 
inactive  as  a  body  of  reserve,  the  commander  found 
himself  under  he  necessity  of  calling  for  their  aid— the 
,.aemy,  dishearu  ned  at  the  unexpected  arrival  of  an  ad« 
ditional  numbor  of  the  <  (8h,.fled  with  precipitancy 
to  Ih  oods-^but  very  v  of  them  however  escaped, 
wore  than  200  of  ai  remained^ead  upon  the  field  of 
^'^tion,  and  dqubl  hai  n"  er  «  rially  wounded  !— the 
loss  of  the  iinglish  ^as  .  ilk  i  «..J  97  wounded.— 
This  *T.gagemenl,  which  proves  .  decisive  one,  was  of 
the  greatest  imnor^aice  u.  the  English^ilic  great  and* 
arduoi  work  was  now  completed— the  few  remaining 
Indians  that  inhabited  the  eastern  country,  ..  w  expres- 
sed .  desire  to  bury  rhe  bloody  hatchet  and  to  make 
peact  with  the  English—their  request  wai  heerfuIFy 
cOTftpIiad  with,  .  >d  they  continued  ever  .  er  the  hfnl 
friend    of  the  English.  •   - . 

F*   ai  this  imporunt  period  (which  being  tl      5lb  day  ' 
of  December,    16ro)  ought   the  peace  and  ttcspcntj   , 
the  now  fl|»iirisht»g  Stusea  of  Ncw-Englan.       .   rt, 
their  date.-^Ii     us  ni  ihis  period  that  her  ha    v  sons        ■ 
t^he  sanguine^fit^J,  and  exchanged  i|ieir  im;>»tiraeiiis  U 
wsais  ior  oiicr.  u  wr»c  better caievlated  .  ♦•  the   cul  ;va<^ 


MenandiiUageQfihc.  faru.s— The  fopcsu  with 


w 


*»■■ 


.j^'" 


m 


■:*5i; 


tttf  were  encorapaiwd,  no  longer  .bounded  wiih  Sere. 
»nduntuloreds.».g«_the  Indian  dea.h.ong  ,„d  war. 
»bo„p  ,..„„  ,o„p,,  he.rd_the  ^  eater  par,  of  ih. 
lnd.an.  .ha.  ,„r„».d  the  many  blood,  eng.gem.n...  had 

er.  whiS!?.'  v"  ;.":'!■""'  '"  ««"«"d-<he  prison. 

r„H  ,         r     ^"^''"' '""'  "P"""^  *««=  'Aerated  upon 
cond,t,on  of  resorling  ,o  .,  I  remaining  wi.h  ihca,-Zy 

prov«l  f«,hfu.  .„  .heir  p..„,«.  .be,U  p.^.«TZro'f 
«he  countrr  bounding  «„  .he  grea.  lake,,  .„d  i„  p™„, 
«on  of  »hich  .heir  deacendam.  r.n,.i;  .o  ,h.  p'r"en 
day-,  descnption  of  „ho«,  „.„„,„  „j  ..«ol  »«, 
(..found  ,„  .be  proceeding  chap.er. 

«ate  .u,  om,  and  lud.crou.  opinion,  of  ,h.  /»*.«,  i„ 
«^.ir.i.W  „hen  «r«  visi.ed  by  our  forefather,,  and 
of  lhe,r  rap,d  depopulation  .i„ce  ,h.,  p„u,^ 

I„r!  !°"°1'  "'"  '■""''  "  ""JK'ure  re.peetinK  th. 
« ItHtnen,  by  the  Engliah.    Cap,.  Sm.t,,  i„  .     '    " 

isl;>nd,    there    were  about  3000  Indian»_»ii  ., 
..gree  .ha.  the  «.  co«t  and  ne.ghb,  in '^,^ld  ' 

Cbickly  inhabited,  »"gni>oring  island,   were 

nyi^'v^/Zar'^t ""'"'"'  °'"'«  '•'^"'»"«'  "'0- 
ny.  avery  mortal  .ickness,  .opposed  to  have  been  th. 

plague,  or  perhaps  the  yellow'fever,   raged  wi'h'lat 

foond  lying  above  Zund^  '\"''  """=''  *"' 

.acb„,e..,^I„<,ia„.f  n  jd^'"*;  5-""  "'<"•    The  Ma.. 

«"ioo  .o  30O  r  M  ■""  ■""■  "^"'^  from 

.w^Ptoffg:",  n?:^  J:;-    '"  '"^.  "•=  —-pox 

In  'res!  on  theTS^  V  J  '"'""""  M""""""".. 

"""*"**"""■'"•  *^'"»  »««  "duccd  by  amor^^Lk! 


■  '.•;  ■^*^«»»4^-)*J  f.  BW."t  H-  Ml 


— ^9— 


^< 


AcM,  from  330  to  85  touIs.  The  hand  of  ProYidcncc  i4 
rotable  in  these  surprising  instances  of  njortalily  among 
the  Indians  to  make  room  for  the  whiles.  Comparative- 
ly few  have  perished  by  wars  ;  and  the  descendants  of 
the  few  that  were  not  driven  to  the  westward  by  the  Eng. 
)ish,  waste  and  moulder  away  and  in  a  manner  unaccounu 
able  disappear* 

^  The  number  of  Indians  in  the  state  of  Connecticut  in 
1774,  was  one  thousand  three  hundred  and  sixty.three  ; 
^  ut  their  number  is  now  doubtless  much  lessened.  The 
principal  pnrt  of  their  population  in  this  state  is  at  Mohe- 
gan»inthe  county  ol  New- London— these  are  ^  de- 
scendants of  the  Mohegans,  of  whom  frequent  mentiMi 
is  made  in  the  foregoing  pages^as  being  very  serviceabW 
(under  thecommariffof  Ukcus)  lo  the  English,  in  their 
many  engagements  with  the  natives.— The  Mohegans 
have  ever  exhibited  great  reverence  for  the  descendants 
of  their  foj^c/  ^ocAcrw.— -After  the  death  of  Uncus, 'his 
body  was  conveyed  (by  his  request)  to  Norwich,  and  there 
interred  in  th6  neighborhood  of  oii|i  of  his  forts— this 
spot  was  sclec  d  by  him,  previous  to  his  death,  and  it 
was  his  dying  request  that  the  wtolV family  of  Uncus, 
should  be  there  buried,  a  request  which  has  b»-en  sirictlf 
complied  with  by  the  Mohegans  ;  who,  although  the  dis- 
tance  is  seven  miles  from  their  own  burying  grouihf, 
have  and  continue  to  deposit  there  the  desccndanta  of 
their  revfered  Sachem. 

The  number  of  IndiansJn  Rhode-Isl^nd  in  1783,  was 
only  five  hundred  and  twenty.five.  More  than  half  ef. 
these  live  in  Charleston,  in  the  county  of  Washinj^ton.- 
In  1774,  the  number  of  Indians  in  Rhode-Island  was  ona 
thousand  four  hundred  and  eighty  two  ;  so  that  in  nine 
years  the  decrease  was  nine  hundred  and  fifty.seveo,— 
We  have  not  been  able  to  ascertain  the  exact  stale  of  the 
Indian  population  in  Ma^-^ach"   ciis  and  Ncw-Hamp^bif*;. 


'J 


.■'t« 


~80— 


, 


i  ■ 


In  1784,  there  was  a  tribe  of  about  forty  Indians  at  JJdf' 
ridgewalk,  in  the  Province  of  Maine,  wiih  some  few  othef 
ficattering  remaps  of  tribes  in  oiheY  parts  j  and  a  number 
of  towns  thirtly  inhabited  round  Cape  Cod. 
f  When  the  English  fifst  arriyed  in  America,  the  Indian* 
had  no  lime  ot  places  set  apart  for  religious  worship.—* 
The  first  settlers  in  New  England  were  at  great  par;';,  td 
mtroilace  among  them  the  habits  of  civilized  fife,  and  to 
instrdet  them  In  the  Christian  religion.  A  few  years  in«i 
fcreoupse  with  the  Indians  induced  them  to  establish  sev* 
%  ^  eraY  ppod  and  natofal  regulations. 

itikiSier,  Mr*  Elliot,  of  Roxbury,  Hear  Boston,  whtf 
|rt!i /been  styjed  the  great  Indhn  apbci  ,  u  (hf'  much  la^ 
for  learned  the  Natic  dialect  of  thi*  ?p  -a  languages. 
He  published  an  Indian  grammar,  at  i  /ached  in  In- 
dian to  several  tfVbes,  and  in  K54^  translated  the  bible 
»nd  several  rcligitMis  books  W>  Hue  Indian  language.— 
Wc  relates  several  pertinent  ^u^jries  of  the  Indians  re- 
specting  the  Christian  religion.  Among  others,  whether 
Jesn*  Christ,  the  mediator  or  interpreter,  could  under* 
stand  prayer  rn  ihe^  Indian  language  ?  If  the  father  be 
bad  and  the  child  gotilf,  why  should  God  in  the  second' 
commandment  be  offended  with  the  child  ?  How  the  In- 
dians came  to  differ  so  much  ffom  the  English  in  the 
knowledge  of  God  and  Jesas  Christ,  since  tliey  all  sprang 
from  one  father  ?— Mr.  EtnoT  w^s  indefatigable  in  bis 
labors,  and  travelled  through  all  parts  of  Massachusetts 
and  Plymouth  "-^Ionics,  as  far  a's  Cape  Cod.  The  colo. 
r.y  had  such  a  veneration  for  him,  that  in  an  act  of  tho 
General  Assembly  relating  to  Indians,  they  express 
ihertiselvcs  thus,  «  By  the  ai'viceof  the  said  magistrates 
and  of  Mr.  Elliot." 

Concerning  the  religion  of  the  untaught  natives  of 
«.cnf-cn}ji«Mii,  *vno  or,c<^  neia  u  piuraiity  oi  dcjtics,  aiter 
I'.e  arrival  of  the  English,  supposed  theie    werr»   onl| 


-8i- 

three,  because  they  saw  people  of  three  kinds  of  com* 
plexions,  viz— English,  Negroes,  and  themselves. 

It  was  a  notion  pretty  generally  prevailing  among  them, 
that  it  was  not  the  same  God  made  them  who  made  us  s 
bui  that  they  were  created  after  the  white  people ;  and  it 
is  probably  they  supposed  their  God  gained  some  special 
skill,  by  seeing  the  white  people  made,  and  so  made  them 
better ;  for  it  is  certain  they  looked  upon  themselves, 
and  their  methods  of  living,  which  ihcy  say  their  God 
expressly  prescribed  lor  them,  vastly  preferable  to  the 
white  people  and  their  methods. 

With  Mird  to  a  future  slate  of  exi&tance,  many  of 
them  imagined  that  the  chichmg,  i,  e,  the  shadow,  or 
what  survived  the  body,  would  at  death  go  southward,  and 
in  an  unknown  but  curious  place— would  enjoy  some 
kind  of  happiness,  such  as  hunting,  feasting,  dancing,  and 
the  like.  And  what  they  supposed  would  c<^tribute 
much  to  their  happiness,  was,  that  they  should  there 
hever  be  weary  of  those  entertainments. 

The  natives  of  New-England  belie -d  ttot  only  a  plu- 
rality  of  Gods,  who  made  and  governed  the  several  na- 
tions of  the  world  j  but  they  made  deities  of  every  thing 
they  imagined  to  be  great,  powerful,  beneficial,  and  hurt- 
ful to  mankind  ;  yet  they  conceived  an  Almighty  Being, 
whom  they  called  Kichtau,  who  at  first,  according  to 
their  tradition,  made  a  man  and  womun  out  of  stone,  tiut 
upon  some  diblike  destroyed  them  again,  and  then  made 
another  couple  out  of  a  tree,  from  whom  'descended  all 
the  nations  of  the  earth  ;  but  how  they  come  to  be  scat- 
tered and  dispersed  into  countries  so  remote  from  one 
another  they  could  not  tell.  They  believed  their  SupreuMS 
God  to  be  a  good  being,  and  paid  a  sort  of  acknowledg- 
ement to  him  for  plenty,  victorv  and  mh.pv  Viff^e^n^. 

The  immortality  of  the  soul  was  universally  believed 
Kmong  them.    When  good  men  died,  they  sai:!,  tf.eif 


'^^<l 


— -M-- 


;  'i 


11 


souls  went  to  Kichtau,  where  tfcejr  met  with  th(*4» 
friends,  and  enjoyed  all  manner  of  pleasures  ;  when  the 
Vricked  died,  they  went  to  Kichtau  also,  but  were  com- 
manded lo  walk  away  ;  and  so  wander  ai)out  in  realle&a 
discontent  and  darkness  forever.' 

The  natives  of  New-England  in  general  were  quick  of 
apprehension,  ingenious,  and  when  pleased  nothing  could 
exceed  their  courtesy  and  friendship — gravity  and  elo- 
quence distinguished  thenn  in  council,  address  and  bravery 
in  war;— they  were  not  more  easily  provoked  than  ihc 
English,  but  when  once  they  had  received  an  injjary,  it 
was  never  forgotton — in  anger,  they  wer%|^  like  the 
Kngli&h,  talkative  and  boisterous,  but  suIlen^RVevengs* 
ful.  The  Bien  declined  all  labor  and  spent  their  time 
in  hunting,  fishing,  shooting,  and  warlike  exercises- 
They  imposed  ail  the  drudgery  upon  their  women,  who 
gathered  and  brought  home  their  wood,  planted,  dressed 
»»d  gathered  their  corn — when  they  travelled  the  women 
carried  their  children,  packs  and  provisions — the  women 
submitted  patiently  to  such  treatment,  this  ungenerous 
usuage  of  their  husbands,  they  repaid  with  smiles  and 
good  humour. 

The  cloathing  of  the  natives  was  the  skins  of  wild 
beasts,  the  men  threw  a  mantle  of  skins  over  fhem,  and 
wor«  a  small  flap  which  were  termed  Indian  breeches— 
the  women  were  much  more  modest,  they  wore  a  coat 
of  skins,  girt  about  their  loins  which  reached  down  to 
t*eir  bams,  which  they  never  put  off  in  company— if  the 
husband  chose  to  dispose  of  his  wile's  beaver  petticoat, 
she  could  not  be  persuaded  lo  part  with  it,  until  he  had 
provided  another  of  some  sort.  In  the  winter,  their 
blanket  of  skins  which  hung  loose  in  summer,  was  tied 
or  wrapped  more  closely  about  thcra—the  old  men  5n  the 

several  sfeasnUB  al«D  wore  a  Hr-.rt  rJ?  «r-.-r-^rn  jv-..- ,4^  ^c 

and  fastened  to  their  girdles,  and  on  their  feet  they 


ws  iriM-iant 


mml^lH^  m^iiaai.-. 


"wstsfe^s^ 


Bfiocason?,  ma^e  of  moose  leather,  and  their  cliiefs  or 
sachems  wore  on  their  heads  a  cap  decorated  with  featJn 
£rs. 

Their  houses  or  wigwarms  were  at  best  but  mise'rable 
pells ;  they  were  constructea  generally  like  arbours,  or 
small  young  trees  bent  and  twisted  together,  and  so  cu* 
riously  covered  with  mats  or  bark,  that  they  were  toler- 
ably dry  and  warm— tbe  natives  made  their  fires  in  the 
centre  of  the  house,  and  there  Was  an  opening  at  the 
top  which  emitted  the  smoke  ;— for  the  convenience  of 
Vt'ood  and  water,  these  huts  were  commonly  erected  in 
groves,  near  some  river,  brook  or  living  spring ,;  when 
cither  failed  the  family  removed  to  another  place. 

They  lived  in  a  poor  low  manner,  their  food  was  coarse 
and  simple,  without  any  kind  of  seasoning —they  Had 
neither  spice,  salt  or  bread— their  food  was  principally 
the  entrails  ojf  moose,  deer,  bears,  and  all  kinds  of  wild 
beasts  and  fowls  ;  of  fish  and  snakes  they  ware  extreme- 
ly fond — they  had  strong  stomachs  and  nothing  came  a* 
miss  I—they  had  no  set  meals,  but  like  other  wild  crea- 
tures ate  when  they  were  hungry,  and  could  find  any- 
thing to  satisfy  the  cravings  of  nature— they  had  byt  lit- 
tle food  from  the  earth  except  what  it  spontaneously  pro. 
duced— Indian  corn,  beans  and  squashes,  were  the  only 
eatables  for  which  the  natives  of  New-England   labored. 

Their  household  furniture  was  of  but  small  value—- 
their  beda  were  composed  of  mats  or  skins  ;  they  had 
neither  chairs  or  stools,  but  commonly  sat  upon  the 
ground  with  their  elbows  upon  their  knees— a  few  wood- 
en and  stone  vessels  and  instruments  served  all  the  pur- 
poses of  domestic  hfe— their  knife  was  a  sharp  stohe^ 
atiell  or  kind  of  reed,  which   they  sharpened  in  such  » 

manner  as  to  cut  their  hair,  make   their   boat's  and  av> 
*. _ -.--   o-^     ^1       ^   i_.«    •       #.       _    »_..—     .-. 

*^pej  somewhat  similar  to  our  axes,  but  "wlttt^o  ii 


I' 


! 


'j^ 


,'.jfci3^ 


,.^* 


ference  of  their  being  made  with  a  neck  instead  of  ai| 
eye,  and  fastened  with  a  withe,  like  a  blacksmith's  chia. 
sel. 

The  manner  of  the  courtship  and  marriage  of  the  na- 
tives manifested  the  impurity-  of  their  morals.— When  9 
young  Indian  wished  for  marriage,  he  presented  the  girl 
with  whom  he  was  enamoured,  with  bracelets,  belts 
and  chains  of  wampum— if  she  received  his  presents 
they  cohabited  together  for  a  time  upon  trial— if  they 
pleased  each  other  they  were  joined  in  marriage ;  but  if 
after  a  few  weeks,  they  were  not  suited,  the  man,  leav- 
ing his  presents  quitted  the  girl  and  sought  another  mis. 
tres,  and  she  another  lover— in  this  manner  they  court- 
ed until  two  met  who  were  agreeable  to  each  other. 

The  natives  of  New-England,  although  they  consisie4 
of  a  great  number  of  different  uations  and  clans,  appear 
to  hu^  spoken  radically  the  same  language— from  Pis- 
cataqua  to  Connecticut,  it  was  so  nearly  the  same,  that 
the  different  tribes  could  converse  tolerably  together- 
lift  Mohegan  or  Pequot  language  was  essentially  that  of 
all  the  Indians  in  New-England— the  word  Mohegan,  is 
a  corruption  of  Muhhekaneew,  in  th.  singular,  or  of 
Muhhekaneek  in  the  ^Wural  number.— Th^  Penobscots, 
bordering  on  Nova-Scotia,  the  Indians  of  ^,  Francis,  in 
Canada,  the  Delawares,  in  Pennsylva-:.^  the  Shawanese, 
on  the  Ohio,  and  the  Chippewaus,  ai  the  westward  of 
lake  Huron,  all  now  speak  the  sanr.e  radical  language. 


He 


►4ft'®«'« 


C^AP.  IV. 

OF  THE  Dlt-FERENT  TRIBES  OF  INDIANS  LV- 
HABITING  THE  WESTERN  COUNTRY^ 


t«rr»      . 


.    vv*.  5iia:j  new  speak  of  ifae  indians  wUc  occuj/    4; 


—85^ 

interior  of  America.-.They  are  the  descendants  of  thosp 
whoonce  inhabited  the  sea-coasts,  and  who  were  driven 
by  the  English  (a9  mentioned  in  the  proceeding  chapter) 
far  to  the  westward,  so  that  but  few  of  their  descendants 
are  now  to  be  found  within  less  than  two  orihree  hun- 
dred miles  of  the  sea :  for  though  many  of  them  have 
been  mstructed  in  the  knowledge  of  Christianity,  and  dis- 
snctsofland  have  been  allotted  them  in  several  of  the 
British  colonies,  where  they  have  been  formed  into  so- 
cieties  ;  yet  it  has  been  found  that  in  proportion  as  they 
lay  by  their  ancient  customs,  and  conform  to  the  mannteri^ 
of  civilized  life,  they  dwindle  away,  either  because  the 
change  is  prejudicial  to  their  constitutions,  or  because 
when  settled  among  the  English  they  have  great  oppor- 
tunities of  procuring  spirituous  liquors,  of  which  both 
sexes  are  in  general  inordinately  fond  ;  very  little  care 
f>eing  ever  taken  to  prevent  those  who  are  inclined  to  take 
advantage  of  them  in  trade,  from  basely  intoxicating  them, 
ior  that  purpose  .-this  has  a  powerful  effect  on  their  con- 
stitutions, and  soon  proves  fatal,  producing  diseascs'.to 
which  they  were  formerly  strangers.  Thus  where  a  few 
years  ago  there  were  considerable  settlements  of  them, 
their  name  is  almost  forgotten  ;  and  those  who  still  re- 
main, have  for  the  most  part,  joined  themselves  to  other 

nations  in  the  interior  part  of  the  country,  on  the  banks 
of  the  lakes  and  rivers. 

The  Indians  in  Canada,  and  to  the  south  of  it,  are  tall 
and  straight  beyond  the  proportion  of -rj^Dtc  other  nations  ; 
their  bodies  are  strong,  but  it  has'^ren  /served  that  this 
IS  a  strength  rather  suited  to  endure  Uic  exercise  of'^he 
chase,  than  much  hard  labor,  by  which  they  are  mr^ 
consumed  ;  they  have  generally  supple  limbs,  and  tl« 
smallcat  degree  of  deformity  is  very  rarely  seen  amongst 
thtm.      Their  fkatu''*?  o"*   — ~.<.i-^    *k_:_ __«--;-.- 

^aiewliat  of  a  copr  ;r  color,  or  a  reddish  Irown;  thetl*  " 


i' 


I 


—86— 

pwr,  which  is  long,  black,  and  lank,  is  as  strong  as  that 
^       of  a  horse.    They  carefully  eradicate  the  hair  from  every 
part  of  the  body  except  the  head,  and  there  they  confine 
JjH        it  to  a  tuit  at  the  top ;  whence  an  erroneous  idea  has 
^        much  prevailed  that  the  men  of  this  country  are  natur- 
ally destitute  of  beards ;   but  it  is  unquestionable  that  1^ 
is  only  an  artiiicial  deprivation. 

They  generally  wear  only  a  blanket  wrapped  about 
them,  or  a  shirt,  both  of  which  they  purchase  of  the 
''  English  traders :  when  the  Europeans  first  came  among 
them  they  found  some  nations  entirely  naked,  and  others 
>»i(h  a  coarse  cotton  cloth,  wove  by  themselves,  round 
their  waist ;  but  in  the  northern  parts  their  whole  bodied) 
•  were  in  winter  covered  with  skins. 

The  ^uran  Indians  possess  a  very  pleasant  and  ferlilje 
country  on  the  eastern  side  of  the  lake  which  bears  the 
same  name.  Half  a  century  ago  they  were  very  nume- 
rous, and  could  raise  six  or  seven  hundred  warriors,  but 
Ihcy  have  suffered  greatly  from  the  attacks  of  neighbor- 
ly itjg  tribes.  They  differ  in  their  manners  from  any  of  the 
Indian  tribes  Jby  which  they  are  sui  rounded.  They  build 
feguiar  houses  which  they  cover  with  bark,  and  are  con- 
sidered as  the  moat  wealthy  Indians  on  the  continent, 
Ijating  not  only  many  horses,  but  some  black  cattle  and 
swine.  They  likewise  raise  m_uch  corn,  so  that  after 
providk^  for  their  own  wants,  they  are  enabled  to  barter 
the  rcaiaiader  with  other  tribes.  Their  country  extends 
one  bttfidred  and  fifty  miles  eastward  of  the  lake,  but  ii| 
:r  IB  (he  contrary  direction  :  the  soil  is  not  ex- 
ft  by  any  in  tfcis  p*«t  of  the  world :  the  timber  is  tall 
add  leautiful,  tb«  woods  abouk...  with  game,  and  abun- 
nair«ofaih  'riay  be  obtained  fi-om  the  rivers  and  lakes; 
sodui  if  it  was  well  cultivated,  the  land  vould  equal  that 
©B  any  part  of  the  sci  coaat  of  North- America.  A  rkii%. 
li^^ary  of  iht  ordsr  of  Carthusian  friars,  by  permisaiolt 


wKmk 


•f  the  bishop  of  Canada,  resides  among  thefti,  and  is  by' 
them  amply  rewarded  for  his  services. 

Those  tribes  of  Indians  who  inhabit  the  banks  of 
lakes  Champlain,  George,  and  Ontario,  were  formerly- 
called  Iroquois,  but  have  since  been  known  by  the  name 
of  ♦«  the  five  Mohawk  nations  ;"and  «  the  Mohawks  of 
Garnada  ;"  the  former  are  called  Onondagoefr,  Oniades, 
Senecas,  Tuscaaovies,  and  Troondock  ;  these  fought  on 
the  side  of  the  English  in  the  contest  for  territory  with 
France ;  the  Cohnawahgans  and  St.  Francis  Indian* 
joined  the  French.  \i 

The  knowledge  which  we  have  of  the  Indvatis  further 
to  the  S.  W.  as  far  as  beyond  42 «  N.  latitude,  is  chiefly 
obtained  from  the  very   worthy  provincial  officer  Major 
Cauver,  who  travelled  into  those  pars,  in  the  year  176fr, 
and  whose  placid  mannerarand  artiest  ^^j^rity  could  not 
fail  of  recommending  him  to  men    who..i  nature   alon« 
had  instructed.     He  visited   twelve  nations   of  Indiani, 
among  whic^h  the  following  appear  to  be  the  most.  oo»ai<J» 
erablc;  the  Chipeway,  who  dwell    to  the   southwa  d  v.^  " 
like  Superior,  and  the  Ottawas  ;  the   Wir.nebags  to  thv 
W.  of  lake  Michigan,  who  with  the  Saukies,  and  Oul.  * 
ganmies  occupy  the  whole  extent  of  coontry  from   the 
lake  to  the  Mississippi,  below  43°  N.  latitude,  where  the 
Ousconsin  river  discharges  itself.     The  Nandowesse,'the  * 
most  numerous  and  extended  Indian  nation,  Inhabit  the 

country  on  the  W.  of  the  Mississippi,  on  the  bordent  of: 
Louisiana. 

The  Indians  in  general  are  strangers  to  the  pasjfion  of 
jcolousy  ;  and  the  most  profligate  of  their  yOuoff  men 
Tery  rarely  attempt  the  virtue  of  married  Wom*»j  t^m  do 
such  often  put  themselves  in  the  way  of  solicit*iio»|^ 
though  the  Indian  women,  in  general,  are  aimor^^iii,  ^ 

before  marrjagie,  nnt  les*  **^f ;»?«•.«-'   ^ ,t\rr-u^     -'^' • 

passions^It  appears  to  have  been  a  vc^  prevaltal  cu*. 


'-km 


-sa— 


n 


tbth  wilh  the  Indians  of  this  country,  before  they  becoriitf 
acquainted  with  the  Europeans,  to  compliment  strangers 
vrith  their  wives }  and  the  custom  still  prevails,  not  only 
among  the  lower  rank,  but,  even  among  the  chiefs  them- 
selves, who  consider  such  an  offer  as  the  greatest  proof 
of  courtesy  they  can  give  a  stranger. 

The  men  are  remarkable  for  their  indolence,  on  which 
they  even  seem  to  value  themselves  ;  saying  that  labor 
#ould  degrade  them,  and  belongs  solely  to  the  womeui 
while  they  are  formed  only  for  war,  hunting  and  fishing  ; 
it  is,  howt^ver,  their  business  to  make  arms  for  hunting^ 
and  lines  for  fishing  ;  to  form  their  canoes,  and  build 
their  houses  ;  but  they  frequently  make  the  women  as- 
sist them  in  these,  besides  attending  to  all  domestic  af* 
fairs,  and  cultivating  the  land.  They  have  a  method  of 
lighting  up  their  huts  with  torches,  made  of  the  splinters 
^ut  from  the  pine  or  birch  tree; 

The  Indians  have  generally  astonishing  patience  and 
equaniniity  of  mind,  with  the  command  of  every  passion 
'  e:;cept  revenge;  They  bear  the  most  sudden  and  unex- 
ptctcd  misfortune  with  calmness  and  composure,  with- 
||out  uttering  a  Word,  or  the  least  change  of  countenance* 
Even  a  prisoner,  who  knows  not  whether  he  may  not  in 
a  few  hours  be  put  to  the  most  cruel  death,  seemt  en- 
tirjiy  unconcerned,  and  eats  and  drinks  with  as  much 
cheerfulness  as  ihose  into  whose  hands  they  have  fallen. 
Their  resolution  and  courage  under  sickness  and  pain> 
is  really  astonishing.  Even  when  under  the  shocking 
tortufe  to  which  prisoners  are  frequently  exposed,  they 
will  not  only  make  themselves  cheerful,  but  provoke  and 
irritate  their  tormentors  by  most  severe  reproaches. 

Thfey  are  grave  in  their  deportment  upon   serious  oc- 
casions, observant  of  those  in  company,  respectful  to  the 


^.flf-' 


never  in  haste  lo  speak  before  they  have  well  ihoufht  c« 


tM  matter,  and  sure  that  the  person  who  spolce  beforij 
them  has  finished  all  that,he  had  to  say.    In  their  pub- 
lie  councils,  evecy  man  is  heard  in  his  turn  according 
as  his  years,  his  wisdom,  or  his  services  to  his  country, 
have  ranked  him.    Not  a  whisper,    nor  a  murmur  is 
heard  from  the  rest,  while  he  speaks ;  no  indecent  com- 
inendations,  ho  ilLtimed  applause.    The  young  attend 
for  their  instruction  ;  for  here  they  learn  the  history  of 
their  nation,  are  animated  by  those  who  celebrate  nhe 
<»arlike  actions  of  their  ancestors ;  are  taught  what  \» 
the  interest  of  their  country,  and  how  to  cultivate  9J^ ^ 
pursue  it.  *    ,       -[ 

Hospitality  is  eiercised  among  them  wiih  the  utmost 
generosity  and  good  will.    Their  houses,   their  provi- 
sions and  even  their  young  women  are  presemed  to  a 
guest.    To  those  of  their  own  nation  they  are  likewise 
very  humane  and  beneficent.    If  any  of  them  succeed 
ill  m  hunting,  if  his  harvest  fails,  or  his  house  is  burnt; 
he  ieels  no  other  effect  of  his  misfortune,  than  its  giving 
him  an  opportunity  of  experiencing  the  benevolence  ana 
regard  of  his  countrymen,  who,  for  that  purpose,  have 
almost  every  thing  in  common.    But  to  the  enemies  of 
his  country,  or  to  those  who  have  privately  offended  him, 
the  native  American  is  implacable.    He  never  indeed 
makes  use  of  oaths,  or  indecent  expressions,  but  cruelly 
conceals  his  sentiments,  till  by  treachery  or  surprise  hd. 
can  gratify  his  revenge.     No  length  of  time  is  sufficient    ' 
to  aflay  his  resentment;  no  distance  of  place  is  gMt 
enough  to  protect  the  object  j  he  crosses  tl»e    steepest 
mountams,  pierces  impervious  forests,  and  trMVerses  the 
most    hideous  deserts  ;  bearing  the   inclemency  of  the 
season,  the  fatigue   of  the  expedition,  the  extremal  of 
hunger  and  thirst,  with  patience  and  chcerfulnes^  irt 
.  .^,  -„.,.-.„„  JJJ5  ep,^^j^,y^  g,jj^  exercising  upon  him 
the  most  shocking  barbarities.    When  these  cannot  btt 


•.f 


Iv-  ■  • 


^90— 

cffecfed,  the  !*€V«nge  is  left  as  a  legacy,  (ransfcred  from 
generation  to  gencr»lioni,  from  fatl.cr  lo  son  till  an  op- 
portunilw  oaera  of;  t^ing  what  they  think  ample  satis- 
faction. To  such  extremes  do  the  Indians  push  their 
friendship,  or  their  enmity  ;  and  such  indeed  is,  in  gen- 
eral, the  character  of  all  uncivilized  ni  .ions.  They,  how- 
ever, esteem  nothing  so  unworthy  a  man  ofbense,  as  a 
peevish  tenipei.  >nd  a  proncne*  to  a  sudden  and  rash 
anger.  • ;.' 

On  Che  other  hand,  they  are  highly  sensible  of  the 
utility  and  pleasures  of  friendship  :  for  each  of  them,  at  a 
certain  age,  makes  choice  of  some  one  nearly  of  the 
•ame  standing  in  life  to  be  their  most  intimate  and  bosom 
friend,  these  two  enter  into*  inutual  engagements,  by 
which  they  oblige  themselves  'o  b^ave  any  danger  an! 
rwn  any  risk,  to  assist  and  v  :*nort  each  other.  Thia 
attachment  is  even  carried  ba  4Ai  as  to  overcome  the  fear 
cf  death,  which  they  consiafr  as  only  a  temporary  separa- 
tion^  being  persuaded  that  they  shall  meet  and  be  united 
in  friendship  in  the  other  world,  never  to  be  separated 
more ;  and  that  there  they  shall  need  one  another's  as- 
$>ifttance  as  well  as  here. 

it  does  not  appear  that  there  is  any  Indian  natron  (hat 
has  not  some  sense  of  a  deity,  and  a  kind  of  superstitious 
religion.  Their  ideas  of  the  nature  and  attributes  of 
God  are  very  obscure,  and  "Dme  of  them  absurd,  though 
they  conceive  of  him  as  the  Great  Spirit,  and  imagine 
tli&i  his  more  immediate  residence  is  on  the  island  of  the 
great  lakes.  They  seem  to  have  some  idea  that  there 
fere  spirits  of  a  high«r  and  more  excellent  nature  than 
man  ;  and  supposing  them  tc  be  every  where  present, 
iiequemly  invoke  them,  and  endeavour  to  act  agreeable 
10  tTieir  desires.  They  likewise  imagine  that  there  is  an 
evil  sphit,  ^ho  they  say  is  always  inclined  to  mischief, 
and  bciirs  great  sway  in  the  creation  j  this  indeed  is  the 


—91— 

princip^  object  of  their  neve  orw  •  he/  g«n<»riiHy  ad- 
dress  him  most  heartily,  bescechiivg  hfm  to  do  them  no 
hamt  but  F  Apposing  ihc  others  to  b»  propitious,  and 
evcf  iuclined  to  do  goo  hey  intreafi  tboac  spirit*  t« 
lyfttiiw  blessings  upon  th^m  and  prevent  the  evil  spirit 
from  hurUBg  thcitt.  iMajiH-  Carvbh  rclat<.»  that  one  of 
tlifi  moat  considerabla  chief's  among  tive  Oitawaws  with 
irhomi  he  reraainod  i  night,  oa  atiending  him  to  his  canoe 
IhH  next  raorning,  with  ^^  sat  solemnity,  and  in  an  auda- 
ble  voice  ©fi  ed  up  a  fervent  prayer,  as  he  entered  hi* 
fiznoe,  *  t?„i  the  great  spiri  would  favor  him  with  » 
proape.  i  voyage  j  that  he  id  give  him  an  uncloud- 
ed «kv,  »nd  amooih  waters  uy  day,  and  ihat  he  might 
^■«  down  oy  night  on  a  be«ver  blaaket,  enjoying  unimev- 
rupted  sleep  and  pleasant  dreama  j  and  also  that  he 
might  Hnd  continual  security  under  the  great  pipe  of 
peace."  To  procure  the  protection  of  the  good  spirit, 
they  imagine  it  necessary  to  distinguish  themuelves,  and 
that  they  must  above  all  other  atldinments,  become  good 
Warrbw,  expert  hunters,  and  stea<ly  marksmen.  'v 

Their  prieals  often  persuade  the  people  that  they  l»a#^ 
revelations  of  future  events,  and  are  authorised  to  com- 
inand  them  to  pursue  such  and  such  measures.  T' .  y 
iJlso  undertake  to  unfold  the  mysteries  of  religion,  J  to 
>olve  and  interpret  all  their  dreama.  They  re  pre  .11 1  the 
pther  world  aa  a  place  abounding  with  an  inexhaustible 
plenty  of  every  thing  desiiable,  where  they  shall  enjoy 
the  moat  full  and  exquisite  gratification  of  all  their  sense*. 
—This  ia  doubtlesa  the  motive  that  induces  the  India>) 
to  meet  death  with  such  indifference  and  composure; 
none  of  them  being  in  the  least  disraaytfd  at^i|r*i6^»<r» 
that  he  has  but  a  few  houra  or  minutes  to  live,  tat  with 
the  greatest  intrepidity  seea  himseii"  upon  the  brink  of 
being  separated  from  all  terrestrial  thingf!,  *sd  -^ifh 
^fm  8cr;jnity  talks  to  alj  around  him  .-^has  «!  fjitliVt 


•  «/■', 


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IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3} 


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Sciences 
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'ii 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  873-4503 


m     ^ 


^92^ 

leaves  his  dying  advice  to  his  children,  and  takes  a  foc^ 

niallcave  of  all  his  friends;       ** 

^       •       They  testify  great  indifference  for  the  productions  of 

art  i  when  any  curious  piece  of  mechanism  is  shown  them 

,    they  8«y,  "  It  ,s  pretty,  I  like  to  look  at  It,"  but  egress 

no  curiosity  about  its  construction.     Such  however  fs  not 

heir  behavior  when  they  are  told  of  a  person  who  dis, 

t,ngu.8hes  h.mselt  by  agility  in  running;  is  well  skilled 

in  hunting ;  can  take  a  most  e^act  aim  ;  work  a  canoe 

along  a  rapid  with  great  dexterity  ;  is  skilled  in  all  the 

^ris  which  their  stealthy  mode  of  carrying  on  a  war  is 

capable  of;  or  is  acute  in  discovering  the   dtuation  of  a 

«Jountry,  and  can,  without  a  guide  pursue  his  proper 

course.through  a  vast  forest.  »d  support  hunger,  thirst. 

W  «nd  fatigue  with  invincible  firmness  ;  at  such  a  relation 

It'!!?';*"'"  ''  *''^"'*'^ '  '^^^y  "^'^»  t°  '^^  interesting 
laie  Wfth  delight,  and  express  in  the  strongest  terms  their 

esteem  for  so  great  so  wonderful  a  man. 

They  generally  bury  their  dead  with  great  decency 
and  deposit  in  the  grave  such  articles  as  the  deceased  had 
made  the  greatest  use  of  and  been  most  attached  to  ;  as 
l»i»  bow  and  arrows,  pipes,  tobacco,  &c.  that  he  may  not 
be  m  want  of  any  thing  when  he  comes  to  the  other 
country;  The  mothers  mourn  for  their  children  a  long 
time,  and  the  neighbours  make  presents  to  the  father; 
und  he  in  return  gives  them  a  feast. 

Every  band  has  a  leader  who  bears  the  title  of  Sdckim 

or  chief  warrior,  and  is  chosen  for  his  tried  valor  and  skill 

in  conducting  war  ;  to  him  is  entru^ed  all  military  ope- 

rations,  but  his  authority  does  not  extend  to  civil  affairs, 

the  pre-eminence  there  being  given  to  another,  who  pos- 

.  U  sesses  it  by  a  kind  of  hereditary  claim,  and  whose  assent 

f  ■  |s  necessary  to  render  valid  all  conveyances  of  land,  or 

♦reaties  of  whatever  kind,  to  which  he  affixes  the  mark 

,©f  the  tribe  or  nation.    Though  these  military  and  cWA 


•hiefs  are  considered  u  (he  heads  of  the  band,  and  th« 
Ut.er .,  usually  .,„ed  king,  y,e  ,he  American  Indi«J 
I  consider  themselw.  as  controlled  by  neither  ciril  nor  mil- 
f  itary  authority :  eyery  individual  regard,  himself  a,  free 
and  independent,  and  would  ne«r  renounce  the  idea  of 
liberty  j  therefore  injunctions  conveyed  in  the  style  of  . 
positive  command,  would  be  disregarded  and  treated  with 
contempt.  Nor  do  their  leaders  assume  an  ascTnd.noy 
repugnant  to  these  sentiments,  but  merely  advise  whar'i. 
necessary  to  be  done,  which  is  sufficient  ,o  produce   th* 

murmur"  '"""'"""'  ""•""»•  »""  P^-i-oing  . 

.nJ?"''r"' """"'  '•  ""P"'-!  of  the  heads  of  tribe.  V 
«nd  families,  with  such  whose  capacity  has  raised  them  - 
«o  the  same  degree  of  consideration.    They  meet  in  . 
house,  built  in  ..ch  of  their  to  vns  for  that  purpcsl,  and 

aing  th.ir  traditionary  songs,  or  to  commemorate  the 
aead.  In  these  councils  they  propose  all  such  matter,  a. 
concern  the  state,  and  which  have  been  already  dl^d 
.n  the  secret  councils,  at  which  none  but  the  head  men 
pssisi.  The  chiefs  seldem  speak  much  lhem«lves  M 
^.^se  genera!  meetings,   hot  intrust  their  sentim.,,. 

being  one  of  this  profession  in  every  tribe  or  town;  anl 
«hur  manner  of  speakinc  is  nai..r.i.„j  ""n,  ana 

.h..^-  '.^  =«»iiig  IS  natural  and  easy,  their  words 

1^0,  Whatever  ,s  told  tending  either  to  form  Z 
Ufflgment  or  rouse.the  passions. 

When  any  business  of  consequence  is  transacted,  ther 
a^PPo.nt  a  feast  upon  the  occasion,  of  which  a  lot  , he 

ThVorT'"-  ^^'°^^  ^h-ntertainmemt^t' 
dy.  the  principal  person  begins  a  song  on  the  rem^fc. 

?ble  events  of  their  history.  «nH    .„k» ^     . 

their  lionpr  or  instruction.    The  others  ting  itt  ^i^i,. 


# 


^"ir 


JN*^ 


»■.  • 

turn*    They  also  haT«  4ances,  chiefly  of  a  nwrlial  kind  •  * 
•lid  no  solemnity  or  pub^uaineea  it  carried  on  without 
songs  and  dances.         ;'     '         ^  . 

As  the  Indians  are  high  splrltc^  ai#d  vwt  irritated,  the 
most  trifling  provocations  iVcquBo.tty1'jSu»tf||em  to  arms, 
and  prove  the  occasions  of  bfoodshcd  and  mt^Mer.—Their 
f  eity  private  quar ret^are  often  decided  this  W»y,  and  ex* 
peditions  undertaken  without  the  knowledge  or  consent 
of  a  general  council.  These  privato  expeditions  ars 
winked  at,  and  excused,  as  a  n:eans  ol  keeping  their 
young  men  in  action,  and  inuring  them  to  the  exercises 
of  war. 

But  when  war  becomes  a  national  affair,  it  is  entered 
upon  with  great  deliberation.    They  first  call  an  assem- 
bly of  ihe  sachems  or  chief  warriors,  to  deliberate  upon 
the  affair,  and  every  thing  relating  to  it.    In  this  general . 
congress  among  the  northern  Indians  and  the  Five  Na- 
tions, the  women  have  a  voice  as  well  as  the  men.  VVheri 
tfcey  are  asseraWed,  the  chief  sachem  or  president,  pro- 
poses the  affair  they  have  met  to  consult  upon,  and  tak- 
wg  up  the  tomahawk,  which  lies  by  him,  says  «  Who 
among  you  will  go  and   fight  against  suck   a  nation  ? 
Who  among  you  will  bring  captivep  frot« W^istfnce  to  re- 
p?dc«  our  deceased  friends,  that  our  wrongs  m^y  be 
revenged  and  our  name  and  our  honor   maintat|^  as 
long  as  the  rivers  flow,  the  grass  grows,  or  the||^ei;| 
moon  shaJl  endure  ?"    Then  one  of  the  principtil^ji^, 
©rs  rising,  harrangues  the  whole  assembly,  and^%i& 
ward,  addressing  himself  to  the  young  men,  enq3l^ 
vho  among  ihem  will  go  along  with  him,  and  fight  their 
enemies  ?  When  they  generally  rise,  one  after  another, 
and  fall  in  behind  him,  while  he  walks  round  the  circle, 
till  be  is  joined  by  a  sufficient  number. 

On  such  occasions  they  have  usually  a  deer,  or  some 
prmv  beast  roasted  whole  ;  and  each  of  them,  as  Ihtfjf 


consent  tt>  fifo  to  w»r,  cuts  o|r  a  piece  and  eaif,  MyingV 
"  Thus  will  I  dewur  our  enemies,"  mentioning  the  n»* 
lion  they  are  going  to  attack.  Tht  ceremony  being  per- 
formed, the  dance  begiiis,  and  tlitfy  sing  the  war  tong, 
which  has  relation  to  their  intended  eaipcdition  and  con* 
^quest,  or  to  their  own  skiH,  courage  and  dexterity  in 
figh»ing,  and  the  manner  in  which  they  will  vanquitli 
their  enemies.  Their  expressions  are  strong  and  patfae(« 
ic,  attended  with  a  tone  that  inspires  terror. 

Such  is  the  influence  of  their  women  in  these  consul- 
rations,  that  the  issue  depends  much  upon  them.    If  any 
\  dne  of  them  in  conjunction  with  the  chiefs,  has  a  mind 
to  excite  one,  who  does  not  immediately  depend  upon 
them,  to  lake  a  part  in  the  war,  she  presents,  ♦  '   the 
hands  of  some  trosiy  young  warrior,  a  string  of  warn. 
:^um,to  the  person  whose  help  she   solicits,  which  sel^ 
rdom  fails  of  producing  the  effect.    But  when  they  mc^ 
tit  an  offensive  ordelensive  alliancvi  With  a  whole  nation, 
they  send  an  embassy  with  a  large  belt  of  wampuhi  and 
a  olwjdy  hatchet,  inviting  them  to  come  and  drink  ih» 
blood  of  their  enemies. 

The  wampum  used  on  these  and  other  occasions  be-' 
fore  their  acquaintance  with  Europeans,  was  only  smaH 
*ells,  which  they  picked  up  by  the  sea  coasts,  and  on 
thebgUksof  the  lakes.  It  now- consists  principally  of 
a  kind  Of  cylindrical  beads,  made  of  white  and  bltf^ 
sbeMa,  which  are  esteemed  among  them  as  silVtr  ind 
|0ld  are  among  us.  The  black  they  think  the  most  v«|. 
H&b'e  ;  both  of  them  are  their  greatest  riches  and  orna- 
ments, answering  ail  the  ends  of  money  among  us.-i- 
They  have  the  art  of  stringing,  twisting,  and  inter^veav- 
kig  them  into  their  belts,  collars,  blankets,  8cc.r  in  tin 
Ihou^nd  different  sizes,  forms,  and  figures,  ir^^^ 

rtnIi/:Yin.    Urn.    ^»i. ^,.     r. -     ._  «.    .  .At     ' 

— r  rw  «c   wiuaiuci]i&   xor  cTcry  pan  01  oresak^tti  cs* 
fJ'cftsivc  of  all  their  important  transacuons.    ^i^:^|* 


iht  wampum  df  farioua  colors  and  shades  ;  and  as  they 
arc  made  significant  of  almost  any  thing  they  please,  b^ 
these  their  records  are  kept,  and  rheir  thoughts  commu* 
nicated  to  one  another,  as  ours  are  by  writing,  Thui 
the  bells  that  pass  from  one  nation  to  another,  in  aU  im* 
portant  transactions,  are  carefully  preserved  in  the  cabin 
of  iheir  chiefs,  and  serve  both  as  as  kind  of  record  or  his. 
tory,  and  as  a  public  treasure  j  hence  they  are  nevef 
used  on  trifling  occasions. 

The  calmui,  or  pipe  of  peace,  is  of  no  less  impor. 
tance,  nor  is  iUess  revered  among  them.    The  bowl  o! 
this  pipe  is  made  of  a   kind  of  soft  red  stone,  easily 
wr<pght  and  hollowed  out  ;  the   stem  is  of  cane,  or  A 
kind  of  light  wood,  painted  with  different  colors,  and 
adorned  with  the  heads,  tails,  and  feathers,  of  the  most 
beautiful  birds,  &c.    The  use  of  the  calmut,  is  to  smoke 
either  tobacco  or   some  other  her|)   used  instead  of  it^ 
When  they  enter  into  an  alliance  or  any   solemn  engage* 
mert ;  this  being  esteemed  the  most  sacred  bath  that 
can  be  taken,  the  violation  of  which   is  thought   to  be 
most  infamous,  and  deserving  severe  punishment  in   the 
other  life^    When  they  treat  of  war,   the  whole  pipe  and 
all  its  ornaments  are  red ;  sometimes  it  is  red  only  on 
one  side,  and  by  the  disposition  of  the  feathers,  &c.  a 
person  acquainted  with  their  customs,  knows  at  first  sight 
the  intentions  or  desires  of  the  nation  who  presents  it. 
Smoakingthe  calmut  is  also  upon  some  occasions  and  in 
»n  treaties  considered  as  a  sacred  oath,  as  a  seal  of  their 
decrees,  and    a  pledge  of   their  performance  of  them, 
Tj»e  size  and  decorations  of  their  calmuts  are  common- 
ly proportioned  to  the  importance  of  the  occasion,  to  the 
quality  of  the  persons  to  whom  they  are  presented,  and. 
to  the  esteem  ^nd  regard  they  have  for  them. 

Another  instrument  of  great  importance  wnong  them 
^  Uhe  iwHiahawk.     ihh  is au  ancient  weapon,  used  u^ 


I 


M 


I 


--or— 

them  in  war,  before  they  were  taught  the  use  ol  iroft 
or  stee(,  s.nce  which  hatchet,  have  been  substituted  in 
the  room  of  them,  but  still  it  retains  ittf  use  and  Im- 
t)ortance  m  pubhc  transactions :  and  like  the  pipe,  is  fre. 
quentljrvery  significant;    This  instrument  is  forced  in 
some  respect,  like  a  hatchet,  having  a  long  handle  -the 
head,  which  is  a  round  knob  of  solid  wood  calculated  to 
knock  a  man  down^  has  on  the  other  side  a  point,  hend- 
ing  a  little  toward  the  handle ;    and  near  the  centre 
where  the  handle  pierces  the  head  another  point  projects 
forward,  of  a  considerable  length,  which  serves  to  thrust 
mih  like  a  spear*    The  tomahawk  is  also  ornamented 
with  pamtmg  and  feathers,  disposed  and  Variegated  in 
inany  significant  forms  according  to  the  occasion  and  end 
for  which  they  are  used;  and  on  it  is  kept  a  l^nd  of 
journal  of  their  marches  and  most  important   occnrren* 
ces,  m  a  sort  of  hieroglyphics.     When   the  council  h 
called  to  deliberate  on  war,  the  tomahawk  is  colored  red  } 
and  when  the  council  sits  it  is  laid  down  by  the  chief, 
and  if  war  be  concluded  upon,  the  captain  of  the  young 
warriors  takes  it  up,  and  holding  it  in  his  hand,  dances 
and  sings  the  war  song.     When  the  council  is  over,  this 
or  some  other  of  the  same  kind,  is  sent  by  the  hands  of 
the  same  warrior  to  every  tribe  concerned  j  who  with  it 
presents  a  belt  of  wampum,  and   delivers  his  mesaagei: 
throwing  the  tomahawk  on  the  ground,  which   is  taken 
fUp  by  one  of  the  most  expert  warriors,  if  thfey  choos*  . 
to  join;  if  not,  it  is  returned  with  a  belt  oj^eir  want^ 
pum  suited  to  the  occasion*  ^  '. 

Each'nation  or  tribe  has  its  distinct  ensigns,  generally 
consisting  of  some  beast,  bird,  or  fish.  Thus  the  Five 
Kations  have  the  bear,  otter,  wolfe,  tortoisej  and  eagle  j 
by  these  names  the  tribes  are  generally  distinguished*,* 

and  th«>  fthnn«m  AftliAo^i  >^:.^.i.    __^    ^..!    •      4  .         .    I.J..: 
. ,^,  ,.!t,cv  ouwiiais   uic  priCKCu  aoci  pftUit^ 

rfiii  several  parts  of  their  bodies.    Genera 


N 


rally, 


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'tJT'^ 


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— £8  — 

li  * 

march  through  the  woods,  they  at  every  encampmenr, 
cut  the  figure  of  their  arms  on  the  trees,  especially  when 
they  have  had  a  successlul  campaign,  that  travellers  may 
know  that  they  have  been  there  ;  recording  also  in  their 
way  the  number  of  prisoners  and  scalps  they  have  taken. 

Their  military  appearance  is  very  odd  and  terrible.— 
They  cut  off  all  their  hair,  except  a  spot  on  the  crown 
of  their  bead,  and  pluck  out  their  eye>brows.  The  lock 
left  upon  the  head  is  divided  into  several  parcels,  each  of 
which  is  stiffened,  and  intermixed  with  beads  and  feath- 
ers of  Various  shapes  and  colours,  the  whole  twisted  and 
connected  together.  They  paint  themselves  with  a  red 
pigment  down  to  the  eyebrows,  which  they  sprinkle  over 
with  white  down.  The  gristle  of  their  ears  are  slit  al- 
most quite  round,  and  hung  with  ornaments  that  have 
generally  the  figure  of  some  bird  or  beast  drawn  upon 
them*  Their  noses  are  likewise  bored  and  hung  with 
beads,  and  th^ir  faces  painted  with  various  colors.  On 
their  breasts  are  a  gorget  or  medal  of  brass,  copper,  or 
some  other  metal ;  and  by  a  string  which  goes  round 
their  necks,  is' suspended  that  horrid  weapon  cilkd  the 
scalping  knife. 

Thus  equipcd,  they  marqh  forth,  singing  their  war 
song,  till  they  lose  sight  of  their  village  ;  and  are  gener- 
ally followed  by  their  women,  who  assist  them  in  carrying 
their  baggage,  whether  by  land  or  water,  but  commonly 
return  bafore  they  proceed  to  action. 

I'hey  have  generally  one  commander  for  every  ter^ 
men  ;  and  if  the  number  amounts  to  one  hundred,  a  gen- 
eral is  appointed  over  the  others,  not  properly  to  com- 
mand, but  to  give  ^18  opinion.  They  have  no  stated 
rules  of  discipline,  or  fixed  methods  of  carrying  on  a 
war  but  make  their  attacks  in  as  many  different  ways 
as  there  are  occasions,  but  generally  in  flying  parties, 
cquiped  for  that  purpose. 


The  weapons  used  by  those  who  trade  with  the  Eng- 
Ksh.and  French  ar#  commonly  a  firelock,  a  hatchet,  and 
a  scalping  knife  ;  but  the  others  use  bows,  tomahavks 
and  pikes.  As  the  commander  in  chief  governs  only  by 
advice,  and  can  neither  reward  nor  punish,  e\^ery  prilNite 
may  return  iiome  when  he  pleases  without  assigning  any 
reason  for  it;  or  any  number  may  leave  the  main  body, 
and  carry  on  a  private  expedition,  Ift^  whatever  manner 
they  please,  without  being  called  to  account  for  their 
conduct. 

When  iHe  Indians  return  from  a  successful  rarapaign, 
they  contrive  their  march  so  as  not  to  approach  their  vil- 
lage till  toward  the  evening.    They  then   send   two  or 
three  forward  to  acquaint  their  chief,  and  the  whole  vil- 
lage, with  the  most  material  circumstances  of  their  cam- 
paign.   At  day  light  next  morning,  they  give  their  prison- 
ers  nev^  clothes,  paint  their  faces  with  various  colors,  and 
put  into  their  hand  a  white  staff,  tasselied  round  with  the 
tails  of  deer.     This  being  done,  the  war  captain  sets  up 
a  cry,  and  gives  as  many  yells  as  he  has  taken  prisoners 
and  scalps,  and  the  whole  village  assemble  at  the  water 
side.     As  soon  as  the  warriors  appear,  four  or  five  of  their 
young  men,  well  clothed,  get  into  a  canoe,  if  they  come 
by  water,  or  otherwise  march  by  land :  the  two  first  car- 
rying  each  a  calmut,  go  out  singing  to  search   the  pri- 
soners, whom  they  lead  in  triumph   to  the  cabin  where 
they  are  to  receive  their  doom.     The  owner  of  this  cabiti 
has  the  power  of  determining  their  fate,  though  it  is  of- 
ten left  to  some  woman  who  has  lost  her  husband,  brother, 
or  son  in  the  war ;  and  when  this  is  the  case,  s^^  genfe*. 
rally  adopts   him  into  the  place  of  the   deceaimd, 
prisoner   has  victuals  immediately  given  him  and  «^ile 
he  is  at  this  repast,  a  consultation  is  held;  and  if  it  fee 
pesolved  to  save  his  life,  two  young  men  untie  bin*,   and 
faking  him  by  the  hands,  lead  him  to  the  cabin  of  tkt 


-*»■ 


—100— 


'' 


perion  into  whose  ramily  he  is  to  be  adopted,  and  tl)f  re 
he  is  received  with  all  imaginable  inark&of  kindness*  Be 
is  treated  as  a  friend)  as  a  brother,  or  as  a  husband,  an4 
they  soon  love  him  with  the  same  tenderness  as  if  he 
atqpd  in  the  place  of  one  of  their  friends.  In  short,  he 
has  no  other  marks  of  captivity,  but  his  not  being  suffer- 
ed to  return  to  his  own  nation,  for  his  attempting  ihii 
^vould  be  punished  with  certain  death. 

But  if  the  sentence  be  death,  how  different  their  con- 
duct !  these  people,  who  behave  with  such  disinterested 
affection  to  each  oTher,  with  such  tenderness  to  those 
whom  they  adopt,  here  shew  that  they  are  truly  savages  | 
the  dreadful  sentence  is  no  sooner  passed,  than  the  whole 
village  set  up  the  death  cry ;  and,  as  if  there  were  nQ 
jnedium  betwean  the  most  generous  friendship  and  the 
riost  inhuman  cruelty ;  for  the  execution  of  him  whon^ 
they  had  just  before  deliberated  upon  admitting  into  tbeif 
tribe  is  no  longer  deferred,  than  whilstihey  pan  make  the 
necessary  preparations  for  rioting  in  the  most  diabolical 
cruelty.  They  first  strip  him,  and  fixing  two  posts  in 
the  ground,  fasten  to  therp  two  pieces  from  one  to  the 
other ;  one  about  two  feet  from  the  ground,  the  other 
about  five  or  six  feet  higher :  then  obliging  the  unhappy 
victim  to  mount  upon  the  lower  cross  piece,  they  tie  his 
legs  to  it  at  little  asunder :  his  hands  are  extended  and 
tied  to  the  angles  formed  by  the  upper  piece.  In  thia 
posture  they  burn  him  all  over  the  body,  sometimes  first 
daubing  him  with  pitch.  The  whole  village,  men,  woi^ 
men,  and  children,  assemble  round  him,  every  one  tor- 
turing him  in  what  manner  the^  please,  each  striving  to 
Exceed  the  other  in  cruelty,  as  long  as  he  has  life.  But 
if  none  of  the  bye-standers  are  inclined  to  lengthen  out 
his  torments,  he  is  either  shot  to  death,  or  inclosed  with 
dry  bark,  to  which  they  set  fire  j  they  tlien  leave  him  on 
\m  hame,  and  In  the  evening  run  from  cabin  to  c^bi;^ 


boir.    Ihc  rem«,„der  of  .he  day  .„d  .he  nigh,  hlC. 
'"B  ■•  «pend  i«  rejoicing.  *" 

Thi.  is  the  most  uau.l  method  of  murdering  their  ori. 
».,.r.,  but  .ometime.  they  f..,en  .hem  .!.  .i„I 
.take.  .„d  build  a  6re  .round  .hem  ,  «  other  tlLllll 
c™elly  m.„g,e  ,heir  limb,,  cu.  off  .heir  Bng.r.rd  .«' 

What  II  the  mo3l  extraordinary,  if  ,he  sufferer  be  .» 
Inian,  there  .eem.  during  the  whole  .ime  of  his  exec.. 
t.<».  a  contes,  between  him  and  hi.  .ormen.or     wTh 

p.^^  t  hV'  T-    ""  '"'""'"«  '"^  »-    "0"  ' 
piwns,  or  he  in  endurjnjj  them  •  nn»  a  «...« 

ba   wdl  .,.e„d  his  death  :  that  he  even  reproach     .hem 

m  th.^:  T'""'  "  ""  "'  "'  """"""^  ;  point,  Z 

methods  of  more  exquisite  .oriure,  and  more  sensiW. 

parts  of  the  body  to  be  afflicied.  '''' 

The  scalps,  .bo.e  dreadful  proof,  of  U  barbarity  of 

IhenTT  "'""'^'"'""^  '  -"  •"'^y  have  cer,ai„d." 
*hen  the  young  men  gain  a  ntw  name  or  ti.le  of  honon 
accord.ng  to  the  quahties  of  the  persons  to  whom-^,,^ 

3'fo;re'f  ^""rr""^  •"'""'  sumcie„rrr. 

ward  fof  the  danger,  and  fa.igues  of  many  campai™.  m^. 

r'rTnetir*'  '^ '-'— -'-"■.'.t 

In  the  late  American  revolution,  Britain  had  the  Ini... 
nianiiy  to  rewarri  tha.„ r.     .     I"*'"  "^fl  the  mhu- 

fommit'ed  un«"n".K"''^^  T"  "'  °^W^y  foJ"  depredations 
camm,t.cd  upon  those  who  were  siuggling  ,„  jhc  cause 


'^ 


% 


—108— 


flff  liberty  !— It  was  through  their  inBtigation  that  the 
liatcheo  of  ^he  Indians  were  made  drunk  with  Americaa 
blood  !— ihe  widow's  wail,  fhe  virgin's  shriek,  and  infant's 
trembling  cry,  was  musick  in  their  ears.  In  cold  blood 
they  struck  their  cruel  tomahawks  into  the  defenceless 
head  of  a  Miss  M  Krat,  a  beautiful  girl,  who  was  that 
very  day  to  have  been  married  !•— the  particulars  of  the 
inhuman  transaction  follow  :— Previous  to  the  late  war 
between  America  and  Great-Britain,  a  British  oificer  by 
the  name  of  Jonks,  an  accomplished  young  man,  ref^Jd- 
ed  near  Fort  Edward— Ivis  visits  thither  became  more 
frequent  when  he  found  himself  irresistibly  drawD  by 
charms  of  native  worth  and  beauty.  iMiss  M^Khay^ 
whose  memory  Jo  d£ar  to  humanity  and  true  affection^ 
was  the  object  of  his  peregrinations. 

Mr.  JoNRs  had  not  taken  the  precautions  necessary  in 
hazardous  love,  but  had  manifested  to  the  lady  by  his 
Uknstant  attention,  undissembled  and  ingenious  demean- 
of)  that  ardent  affection,  which  a  susceptible  heart  com- 
pelled her  implicitly  to  return.  In  this  mutuaJ  inter- 
change of  passions,  they  suffered  themselves  to  be  trans- 
ported on  the  ocean  of  im-aginaiion,  till  the  unwelcome 
necessity  of  a  separation  cut  off  every  Springing  hope. 
The  war  between  Great-Britain  and  America  commen- 
ced— a  removal  from  this  happy  spot  was  in  consequenc; 
suggested  to  Mr.  Jones,  as  indispensible.  Nothing 
joulfl  alkviate  their  mm.ual  horror,  but  duty— nothing 
' could  allay  their  reciprocal  grief,  so  as  to  render  a  sepa- 
rate corporeal  existence  tolerable,  but  solemn  vows, 
witb  the  idea?  of  a  future  meeting;  Mr.  Jones  repaired 
to  Canada,  wheie  all  intercourse  with  the  Provinciife 
waaRprohibted.  Despair,  which  presented  itself  in  *^* 
gravkted/jolours  when  General  Buugoyne's  expedition 
throtfgh  t4i;J:ftt*i»es  was  nxed,  succeeded  to  his  formei*" 
JjB^pes.—'JKhe  J3i  I ilah  army  lining  encamped  about  thrii* 


-ir:. 


I 


fs. 


Jj^lu  from  the  Fort,  a  descent  was  daily  projecWd.-l 
Here  Mr.  Jokes  could  not  but  recognize  the  .pot.  on 
Inch  rested  aU  his  joys.  He  figured  to  hi",  mind  the 
dread,  which  h.s  hostile  approach  must  raise  in  tlie 
Lreast  of  her,  whon  of  all  others,  he  thought  it  his  high- 
est interest  to  protect.-In  spiR'  of  arrettl  and  com- 

mandsto.thecontrary,  he  found  means  secretly  to  con- 
vey  a  letter,  inireating  her  not  to  leave  the  town  wicii 
the  family,  assuring  her,  that  as  soon  as  the  fort  should 
have  surrendered,  he  would  convey  her  to  an  asylum, 
where  they  might  peaceably  consummate  the  nuptial 
ceremony.    Far  from  discreditmg  the  sincerity  of  hi„» 

low  the  fly.ng  villagers.     The  remonstrances  of  a  fathei- 
or  tne  tearful  intrealies  of  a  mother  and  numerous  friend, 
could  not  avad  !  It  was  enough  that  her  lover  was  her 
fnend-she  considered  herself  protected  by  the  love  and 
voluntary  assurances  of  her  youthful    hero.     With  the 
society  of  a  servant  maid,  she-  impatiently  waited   tU* 
desired  conveyance.    Mr.  Joke,  finding  the  difficulty  ir>. 
to  which  he  was  brought,   at  length,   for  want   of  better 
convoy,  hired  a  party  of  twelve  Indians,  to  carry  a  let- 
ter  to  Miss  M'Kray,  with  his  own  horse,  for  the   dJn 
pose  ofcarrying  her  to  the  place  appointed.     They   set 
off,  fired  with  the  anticipation  of  their  promised  prcmi 
urn,  which  was  to  consist  of  a  quantity  of  spirjis,  on  con. 
dition  that  they  brought  her  off  in  safety,  wl^h,  to  aa 
Indian  was  the  most  cogent  stimulous  the  yout,i^%ver 
could  have  named.    Having  arrived  in  view  of  her  win'  * 
dow,  they  sagaciously  held  up  the  letter^   to  pre.entZ 
f«rs  and  apprehensions  which  a  savage  knows  he  ^  ^ 
cxc^e,  m  the  sight  of  tenderness  and   sensibilit,;^  ^ 
faith  and  expectati6i||,  enabled  her  to  divine  the  U^ 
of  these   ferocious  ^sgionaries,  while   h^  ^^J^* 
•<»aia  uttered  nought  bat  shrieks  and  cri^.   ^^ 


'   ,.Kl 


—104— 


tived,  and  by  their 


thty 


\i 


whom 
remain,  it  was 


til  convinced  her  from 
had  their  instructions.  If  a  doubt  coi 
removed  by  the  letter— it  was  from  her  lover.  A  lock 
of  his  hair,  whicli  it  contained)  presented  his  manly  figure 
to  her  gloomy  fancy, 

vi^Iere,  reader,  guess  what  must  have  been  her  ecsta- 
cy.— She  resolved  to  brave  even  the  most  horrid  aspect, 
which  might  appear  between  her  and  him,  whom  she 
considered  already  hers,  without  a  sigh— she  did  not  for 
a  moment  hesitate  to  follow  the  wishes  of  her  lover ;  and 
took  journey  with  these  bloody  messengers,  expecting 
very  soon  to  be  shielded  in  the  arms  of  legitimate  affec- 
tion. A  short  distance  only  then  seemed  to  separate  two 
of  the  happiest  of  mortals.— Alae  !  how  soon  are  the 
•s»Qst  brilliant  pictures  of  felicity  defaced  by  the  burning 
hand  of  afflirtion  and  woe  !  How  swiftly  are  the  Ralcyon 
dreams,  which  lull  the  supine  indolence  of  thought,  sue* 
ceeded  by  the  real  panga  which  are  inflicted  by  a  puniah- 

t Providence  or  a  persecuting  foe  l 
aving  risen  the  hill,  at  about  equal  distance   from 
thecamp  and  her  former  home,   a  second  party  of  In- 
jjKMJis  having*  heard  of  the  captivating  offer  made  by  Mr. 
JbNES,  determined  to  avail  themselves  of  the  opportuni- 
ty»    The   reward  was  the  great  object*     A  clashing  of 
real  and  assumed  rights  was  soon  followed  by  a  furious 
^    %Std  bloody  engagement,  in  which  several  were  killed  on 
^elich  side.    The  commander  of  the  first  party,  pcrceiv- 
"^Ihg  that  nought  but  the  lady's  death  could  appease  the 
fury  of  either,  with  a  tomahawk  deliberately  knocked  her 
from  her  horse,  mangled  her  scalp  from   her  beautiful 
temples,  ^%^h  he  exultingly  bore   a   as  trophy  of  zeal 
to  tke  expectant  <tnd  anxious  lover  ! !    Here,  O  diaap- 
pointment,  was  thy  sting  I  It  was  with  the  greatest  dif- 
t^^^ulty  that  Miu  Jqnes  CQuld  he   tent  front  tot**!  dalirK: 
um.    His  horrar  and  iiidi|;nfttion  cuaid  not  be  appcaiieci } 

■s  ■     -^ 


— 105«« 


lis  remorse  for  having  riskod  his  most  taluable  ti-easUr^ 
in  the  hands  of  savages »  drove  him  almost  to  madness.^ 
When  the  particulars  of  the  melancholy  event  reached 
Gen.  BuHooTNK,  he  ordered  the  survivors  of  both  tljcx* 
parlies  to  immediate  execution. 


\' 


•»«4»« 


.i# 


■-...r^*'l^%; 


CHAP.V.  ^'^^yd' 


:"'4. 


iNVASIONoF  NEW-YORK  ANr  NSeW    l^GLANIJ 


AMJ) 


DESTRUCTION  of  SCHENECTADY,  bi  the 
FRENCH  AND  INDIANS,  i»  1690. 

IN  the  year  1690,  the  Mohawks  having  made  several 
Successful  cxpeuitions  against  the  Canadians,  ihe  Count 
FaoNTKNAC  (to  cgse  ihe  depressed  spirit  of  the  laiter) 
despatched  s#era#arties  of  French  and  Indians  to  atm^ 
the  frontier  settlements  of  New-York  and  New-EngSd. 
A  detachment  of  nearly  500  French  and  Indians,  under' 
the  command  of  Monsieurs  P<  AiLtEfiouT,  Dk  W-auxkt 

.  and  |iE  Wayne,  t^ere  despatched  from  Montreal  forthia' 
purpose  ;-they  were  furnished  with  every  thing  neces- 
aary  for  a  winter's  campaign.— After^g  mareh  of  twenty* 
two  days,  they  on  the  8th  Febri;|ry  reached y^benecti  "^ 
—they  had  on  their  march  been  «<|-r|||ieaf^ 

thoughts  cf  surrendering  tbcmselves  |)rhon|i„^y-^^»,. 
the  English  ;  but  their  spies  (who  had  been  for  sev^ 

days  in  the  village,  entirely  unsuspectecf^  reDre8entin|*ii 
^  so  strong  terms  the  defenceless  stale  of  ^lni^itaotS| 

w  determined  them  to  make  an  immediate  awE^rtiiif^^ 
l^tod  the  gates  open  and  unguarded— they  fpt^MMlt 

Mp^'^^*"  °y^°^'^  «^  nigiit,  and  the  bc^cMo-j^pp'^b 

mfmh  purpose  divided  their  main  bodyiotwI^M^^ 


♦^ 


*■■ 


— 100— 


tinct  parties  of  A^  6t  seven  men  eacli !— the  inhabitant 
^ere  in  proround  sleep,  and  unalarmed  until  the  enemy 
had  broken  open  their  doors  and  with  uplifted  tomahawks 
trcre  surrounding  their  beds !— before  they  had  time  to 
I'iset  the  savages,  began  the  perpetration  of  the  most  in** 
hfknan  barbarities  ! — no  language  can  ex[)ics»  the  crctel- 
ties  vrhich  were  committed— in  less  than  one  hour  two 
hundred  of  the  unfortunate  inhabitants  were  slain  and 
the  whole  village  enwrapt  in  fianles !— A  detail  of  the 
cruelties  committed  by  the  barbarians  cannot  be  read 
vrithoue  horror.*— 3*hey  ravished,  rifled,  murdered  and 
mutilated  thel  inhabitants  without  distinction  of  age  or  sex^ 
without  any  other  provocation  or  inciteihent  than  brutal 
lust  and  wantonness*  of  barbarity ! — pregnant  wometi 
were  ripped  open  and  their  infants  cast  into  the  flames  op 
dashed  against  the  posts  oi  the  doors  ! ! — such  monster^' 
vf  barbarity  ought  certainly  to  be  excluded  from  all  the 
privileges  of  human  nature,  a»d  hunted  down  as  wild 
benstSy  without  pity  or  eessaiion.  A  few  of  the  inhabitanci 
escaped,  and  in  their  shirts  (in  a  severe  and  stormy  oi^llM^ 
fled  to  Albany— twenty»five  of  the  fugitives  in  thiir  flight 
perished  with  cold*  The  enemy  after  destroying  the 
Inhabitants  killed  all  the  horses  and  cattle  which  ^hey« 
:^ld  find,  with  the  exception  of  about  thirty  of  the  for- 
pier,  which  they  loaded  with  their  plunder  and  drove  oflv 
(Vhen  the  »ew8  of  the  horrid  massacre  reached  Alba- 
n  universal  r.|kr  and  consternation  seized,the'inhab- 
nta-!— the  country  became  panic  strs«ck ;  and  many  en- 
rtained  thoughts  of  destroying  the  town  and  abandoning 
that  part  of  the  country  to  the  enemy. 

A  itcm^  party  of  the  enemy  which  Count  Frontknag 
had  detached  from  the  main  body  at  the  three  rivers  ((ln4| 
der  coihmandofSzEUR  Hartel,  an  officer  of  distingiiish- 
t>A  chiTscter  in  GsnsidsY  en  ths.  ^Sth  Februai'v  feS'  u^^9& 
Salmon  Fails  (a  plantatloiM^  ||ie  river  which  divides 


/ 


i 


<!'* 


«\ 


jjfew'fiatnpsbire  from  the  province  of  Maine)— the  party 
consisted  of  about  70  meii)  more  than  halt  of  .whom  vrere 
Indians  ;  they  commenced  the  attack  at  brealc  of  day,  in 
three  different  peaces,  and  although  the  inhabitants  were 
surprized}  yet  they  fled  to  their  arms  and  defended  them- 
selves with  bravery  which  even  th,eir  {enemies  applauded  ; 
but  they  wgre  finally  overpowered  by  numbers,  and  for- 
ly-three  of  them  (men)  women  and  children)  fell  victims 
to  savage  barbarity. 

The  depredations  of  the  French  and  Indians  filled  the 

inhabitants  of  the  western  country  with  fear  and  alarm* 

—The  Assembly  of  New- York  conceived  it  necessary  to 

make  every  exertion  to  prevent   the   settlement  of  the 

French  AtAlbany-prijtw^;?  renolved  that  two  companies 

"^'''*"      leii  each  should  be  raised  and  sent  forward  fof 

purpose*    For  the  deipnce  of  the  frontier  towiilllin 

-    New-England,  it  was  ordered  that  a  constant  walch*5houI4 

be  kept  i^  the  several  towns>  and  that  all  males*  (above 

l%,^d  und(|r  60  years  of  age)  should  be  held  in  i%a9i« 

Vf ^4¥^  to  ma.rch  at  the  shortest  notice. 

w24|(^n  the  20th  March,  at  a  propose^  meeting  of  Com- 

wijajtifsioners  from   New* York  and  New-England,  a  plan 

'f'  yn^P  proposed  and  adopted  for  invading  Canlda— 800  men 

were  ordered  to  be  raised  for  the  purpose — the  quotas  ot 

the  several  colonies  were  fixed,  an^genej^l  rulef^dop- 

ted  for  the  management  of  the  arr^.    A  small  vessj^ 

wai^  sent  express  to  England  the  beginning  of  A] 

carrying  a   representation  of  the   exposed  state 

colonies  and  ttie  necessity  of  the  reduction  of  Canadii 

a  petition  was  also  forws^rded  to  his  majesty  for  a  supp^- ' 

of  arms  and  ammunition,  and  a  number  of  frij^eft  to 

attack  the  enemy   by  water,  w|^  tj}e  'co^f^  trills 

made  an  invasion  by  land*    Jo^if  WivruAi 

j|»pointed  major-general  and.<Ibmman<^1%4^i<^f  ^ 

j^d  Army  I  and  arrived  with  th6  ti 


i# 


fm 


m»n4  near  the  falls  at  the  head  of  Wood  Creek,  early  i|^ 
the  month  of  August*  * 

When  the  army  arrived  at  the  place  appointed  for  thp 
rendezvous  of  the  Indianiy  from  the  Five  Nations  (whp 
had  engaged  to  assist  the  Etiglish)  instead  of  meeting 
mil\  that  powerful  body  which  they  expected  imd  wljich 
the  Indians  had  promised,  there  was  no  more  tlian  70 
warriors  from  the  Mohawks  an{d  Oneidas !— When  tho 
l^eneral  had  advanced  about  100  miles,  h^  found  that 
there  were  not  canoes  sufficient  t6  transport  one  half  tho 
English  across  the  lake— upon  representing  to  the  In?? 
♦  0ians  the  impossibility  of  the  army's  passing  into  Cana^ 
da  without  ^  much  greater  number  of  canoes,  they  re* 
1$  plied  that  it  ih%9  then  too  late  in  the  Season  to  make  ca- 
^^^as  the  bark  would  not  peal—in  short,  they  artfully 
•  PW^A  every  proposal,  and  finally  told  the  general  and' 
his  offioers  that  they  looked  too  high  and  advised  then| 
<}{l%t^atlack  Chambly,  and  the  out  settlements  on  this 
side  of  St.  I^awrence— .thus  did  thei^e  Indians  (who  a  fef^ 
years  l?efore  had  so  harrassed  all  the  French  and  Indiana 
jn  Canada)  exhibit^he  greatest  proofs  of  cowardice !-- :  * 
the  English  finding  it  impossible  to  cross  the  lake  with 
advantage,^eturned  to  Albany,  and  thus  the  estpeditioti 
faile^ 

In  the  ye#l(59^Count  Fhontenac  finding  that  h^ 
^^<»uld  not  accomplish  a  peace  with  the  Mohawks  (who  of 
""  all  the  Indians  had  been  by  far  the  most  destructive  t<^ 
the  settlements  in  Canada)  determined  on  their  destruc- 
tion. He  collected  an  army  of  about  700  French  and 
Indians,  and,  having  supplied  them  with  every  thing  ne« 
^^^''^^T  fo'  a  winter  campaign,  sent  them  against  the 
Sfl^hiwk  caslle5.--They  commenced  their  march  from 
^Montreal  on  the  15th  January,  lesS—al'ter  enduring  in* 

ira^dihT(>  hnrrlahmo.    »K*u  foil  <•->  i.<i:»K    thm.  fino»  ^o.il^  t.Kni.» 

<^$  loth  February — the  Mohawks  were  unprepaitd  for, 


tp  attaek,not  having  the  least  intimation  of  tlie  tp|iMNiy( 
0fthcCanadians-the  enemy  killed  and  captured  about 
«0of  the  Mohawks  at  this  castle  and  then  proceeded  for 
^hc  second,  at  which  they  were  equally  successful ;% 
great  pan  of  the  Mohawks  were  at  Schenectady  ai#th^ 
remainder  p*erf«ctly  secure  j-when  they  arrived  at  the 
third  castle  they  found  about  eighty  warriors  collected  at 
a  war.dance,  as  they  designed  the  next  day  to  go  upon 
an  enterprise  against  their  enemies-a  conflict  ensuecWM 
which  the  Canadians,  after  losing  about  thirty  fiiej^J^ 
victorious  and  the  third  castle  was  taken.    ^— ^^"^^ 
ans  in  their  descent  topk  near  three  hund^^.,«„^pp«,^ro, 
principally   women  and  children.— The  brtlfe^^^^nel 
ScHUTLER  of  AlMmy  (receiving  inforii^'n  of  the.^ 
proach  of  the  enemy)  at  the  head  of  «%arty.o#j|||^ 
teersofabout  400  English  and  Dutch,  pu^ii^  thiirifc^ 
on  the  25th  February  he  was  joined  by  abo»t''30«  Indians, 
and  with  this  force  on  the  29th  fell  in  with  the  tsMnf^, 
Whom  he  found  lodged  in  a  fortified  camp— the  Canadi- 
^nsmade  three  successive  sallies  upon  the  colon€l,'  and 
were  as  often  repulsed,  he  kept  his  ground,   waiting, for 
provisions  and  a  reinforcement  from   Albany  :-.the  ene- 
my at  length  taking  the   advantage  of  a  i4blent  snow 
storm  escaped  and  marched  to  Canada ;— the  d«y  fol- 
Iowii%  Capt.  Sims,  with  a  reinforcefcnt  fnd  a  supply 
of  provision  arrived  from  Albany,  and  the  day  succeed- 
ing  the  colonel  reassumed  the  pursuit  j  but   the  Canadi- 
atis  luckily  finding  a  cake  of  jce  across  the  north  branch 
of  Hudson  river,  made  their  escape  :  they  were  however 
so  clos6Iy  pursued  by  the  English  and   Dutch  that  t^f 
could  not  prevent  the  escape  of  most  of  their  ^pri»»n^, 
who  all  (with  the  exception  of  nine  or  ten)  rtm&^  in 
fafety  to  their  country.    Colonel  Schultbb  lost  IS  of 
lifs  party,  and  had  19  wounded— according  tojfw  report 
#^»  capUves  the  enemy  lost  50  menj  fivr|tlMpin 


^t 


^   .J 


m 


—no— 

were  French  officers,  apd  two  Indian  guideS)  'and  had 
about  70  wounded;  The  Mohawks  on  their  return  found 
about  40  dead  bodies  of  the  enemy,  which  tl^y  8calpe4 
and  devoured)  indeed  so  great  was  their  hunger  I 

CHAP.  VL 
WASHINGTOmTixPEDITION, 

IN    1753— AWD 

J)EFEAT OF  Gekkral  BRADDQCKt 

BT  THE  ISDIANS,    Itk  1W5.  ^ 

■  111  ■ 

IN    1753f  the   French  and  Indians  began  to  make 
inroads  on  our  western  frontiers  along  the  Ohio.     Gov** 
femor  DiNwiBDiE,  of  Virginia,  was  very  desirous  to  g^t 
a  tetter  of  remonstrance  to  their  commander  in  chief.-if* 
He  had  applied  to  several  young  gentlemen   of  his  ac- 
c^off^nce,  but  they  were  all  so  detipient  in  courage  that 
they  could  not  be  prevailed  on  for  love  or  money,  to  ven- 
ture out  among  the  savages.    Our  beloved  Washinq- 
TON  happening  to  hear  of  it,  instantly  waited  on  his  ex* 
cellencf  ,jMid  offered  his  services,  but  not  without  being 
terribly' aftaid  lest  his  want  of  a  beard  should  go  against 
him.i>  However,  the  Governor  was  so  charmed  with   his 
IflSbdesty  an^  manlf  air,  that  he  never  asked  him  a  sylla- 
ble about  his  agr,  but  after  thanking  him  for  "  a  noble 
jiouth"  and  insisting  on  his  taking  a  glass  of  wine  with 
him,  slipped  a  commission  into  his  hand.   The  nextday» 
accompanied  by  an  interpretor  and  a  couple  of  servanif, 
he  set  out  on  his  expedition,  which  was,   from   start  to 
pole,  as  disagreeable  and  dangerous  as  any  thing  Hercu- 
lus  himself  could  have  wished.     Soaking  rains,  chilling 
blasts,  roaring  floods,  pathless  woods,  and  mountain* 

.l.wi  Im  enAma»    Ar\«\nc»rl  hia  rntira^  •    hnt  nnnnsed    in  Vai!l*i> 
z^ztixi  !:s  ITS.—    .  -,  ^i:i""'~"  ""—   ~  ~   r  "      ri" 

The  glg^iout ambition  to  serve  hii  cou'ntry  impait^d   ^l 


# 


Attirtarfort  to  his  nerves,  which  rendered  him  superior  t6 
all  difficulties. 

Returning  homewards  he  was  waylaid  and  shot  at  by 
a  French  Indian,  and  though  the  copper- coloured  ruffian 
was  not  15  steps  distant  when  he  fired.at  him,  yet  -not 
even  so  much  as  the  smell  of  lead  passed  on  the  clothes 
of  our  young  hero.  On  his  return  to  Virginia,  it  was 
found  that  he  had  executed  his  negotiations,  both  with 
the  French  and  Indians,  wilh  such  fidelity  and  judgment, 
that  he  received  the  heartiest  thanks  of  the  Governor  and 
Councillor  the  v^  important  services  he  had  done  his 
country. 

He  was  now  (in  the  20th  year  of  his  agc>  appointed 
major  and  adjutam-general  of  the  Virginia  forces.  Sooit 
after  this,  ihp  Indians  continuing  their  encroachments,  or- 
ders were  given  by  the  English  government,  for  the  coU 
onies  to  arm  and  unite  in  one  confederacy.  Virginia 
took  the  lead,  and  raised  a  regiment  of  four  hunO'ed 
men,  at  the  head  of  which  she  placed  her  darling  Wash- 

INGTOIf. 

With  this  handful  of  brave  fellows.  Col.  Wasbimotok 
not  yet  23  years  of  age,  boldly  pushed  out  into  the  In! 
dian  country,  an^  there  for  a  considerable  time  Hamil* 
bal.like,  maintained  the  war  against  three  times  m 
number  of  French  and  Indians.  At  the  Red- Stones  hi 
came  up  with  a  strong  party  of  the  enemy,  whom  he 
engaged  and  effectually  defeated,  after  having  killed  irnd 
taken  thirty-one  men.  From  his  prisoners  he  fM^4 
undoubted  intelligence,  that  the  French  forces 
Ohio  consisted  of  upwards  of  a  thousaai*  Wulars 
many  hundreds  of  Indians.  But  notwI^I^W 
disheartening  advice,  he   still  pressed  on  u^umwwi 

-^5j  vfUj't  a  foft,  which  he  eailcd  Fort  Necd^jT^  "" 
^  jrwted,  hourly  and  anxicusly  looking  fe 


•  <ii> 


-Ci 


# 


¥ 


tioiti  New-York  and  Pennsylvania ;  but  he  looked  i^ 
♦ain— nobody  came  to  his  assistance*  Not  long  aflef 
this  his  small  force,  now  reduced  to  three  hundred  meni 
were  attacked  by  an  army  of  1100  French  and  Indians* 
J4ev«r  did  the  true  Virginian  volor  shine  more  gloriously 
than  on  this  trying  o^a&ion. 

To  see  three  hundred  yoUng  feltows—commanded  bjr 
a  8mootb*faced  boy— all  unaccustomed  to  the  te^yora  of 
war— far  from  home,  and  from  all  hopes  of  help— shut 
tip  in  a  dreary  wilderness,  and  surrounded  by  four  time* 
their  number  of  savage  foes,  and  y^  without  sign  of 
fear,  without  thought  of  surrender  prepairing  for  mortal 
eombat.    Oh  lit  was  a  noble  sight  l— Scarcely  since  the 
days  of  Lionidas  and  his  three  hundred  deathless  Spar- 
tans had  the  sun  beheld  its  equaU    With  hideous  whoop* 
and  yells  the  enemy  came  on  like  a  host  of  tygers.    The 
iroods,  and  rocks,  and  tall  tree  tops  (as  the  Indians  climb- 
In^io  the  tops  of  the  trees,  poured  down  their  bullets 
into  the  fort)  were  in  one  continued  blaze  «nd  crash  of 
fire-arms.    Nor  were  our  young  warriors  idle,  but  ani- 
mated  by  their  gallant  chief,  plied  their  rifles  with  such 
spirit,  that  their  little  fort  resembled^ volcano  in  full 
blast,  roaring  and  discharging  thick  sMls  of  liquid  fira 
«nd  of  leaden  deaihs  among  their  foes.    For  three  gtori^ 
eus  hours,  Salanjandar  like,  inveloped  in  smoke  and 
flame,  they  sustained  the  attack  of  the  enemy'a  whote 
force,  and  laid  two  hundred  of  them  dead  on  the  spot  !— 
Discouragtdl^by  such  desperate  resistance,  the  French 
general,  the  Count  de  Villiebs  sent  in  a  flag  to  Wash- 
ington, extolling  hi?  gallantry  to  the  skies,  and  ofiering 
him  the  most  honorable  terms.    It  was  stipulated  that 
^ol.  Washington  and  his  little  band^f  heroes,  should 
Snarch  away  with  all  the  honors  of  war,  and  carry  with 

flR the  Spring  of  1755,  Washingtok,  vrhile  busied^ 


/ 


4? 


the  highest  tnilitarf  operationi,  /as  summoned  to  attend 
Qen.  Bradsodk,  who  in  the  month  of  February,  arrived 
At  Alexandria,  with  3000  British  troops.    The  Assemblf 
of  Virginia  appointed  800  provincials  to  join  him.    Th« 
object  of  this  army  was  to  march  through  the  country, 
by  the  way  of  Will's  Creek,  to  fort  Du  Quesne  (now 
Pittsburgh,  or  Fort  Pitt.)    As  no  person  was  so  well  ao- 
quainted  with  the  frontier  country  as  WASHiMotoir,  and 
kione  stood  so  high  in  military  fame,  it  was  thpught  h« 
would  be  infinately  serviceable  to  <;eneral  Braddock.  .  At 
the  request  of  tjy  Governor  and  Council  he  cheerfully 
quitted   his  own  command,  to  act  as  volunteer  aid-de- 
camp to  that  very  imprudent  and  unfortunate  general.-.^ 
The  army  near  8000  strong,  marched  from  Alexandria 
and  proceeded  unmolested  within  a  few  miles  of  Fort 
Pitt.    On  the  morning  of  the  day  in  which  they  expect- 
ed to  arrive,  the  provincial  scouts  discovered  a  large  party 
of  g^^ch  and  Indians  lying  in  ambush.    Washingtoit, 
witfi  his  usual  modesty,   observed  to  Gen.  Bjiad&ocii 
What  sort  of  enemy  he  hpd  now  to  deal  with.    An  enemy 
who  would  not,  like  the  Europeans,  come  forward  to  a 
fair  contest  in  tl^fifeld.  but,  concealed  behind  rocks  and 
trees  carry  on  a  dladly  warfare  with  their  riBes .    He  con- 
cluded with  begging  that  Gen.  Braddocx  would  grant 
Wm  the  honor  to  let  him  place  himself  at  the  head  of  tb« 
Virginia  riflemen,  and  fight  them  in  their  own  w«y^ 
And  it  was  generally  thought  that  our  young  hero  Mit 
his  800  hearts  of  hickory,  would  very  easily  have^eaten^ 
them  too,  for  they  were  not  superior  to  the  forc«v^>>iii^ 
(with  only  three  hundred)  he  had  handled  so  rotn^hi^ 
twelve  month  before.    But  Gen.  BrAddock,  who  had  all 
along  treated  the  American  officers  and  f^dierawlEh  |i^  ^ 
fidite  contempt,  instead  of  following  this 
tIc%  s?rcikd  and  fedtlened  wit^  reosr 

'\mh  times,  by  G-d  J"  he  exdftiaiod, 

"■■■'■  '  p  ".  "';' 


mm 


—114^ 


I 


1 


fro,  with  arms  a  kimbo,  <«  High  Jimes !  wheh  a  y^ong 
buckskin  can  teach   a  British  general  how  to  fight  f  "— 
Washington  withdrejv,  biting  his  lips  with  grief  andj  in- 
dignation, to  think  what  "numbers  of  brave  fellows  w4u1d 
draw  short  breath  that  dajr ,  through  the  pride  and  olisti- 
nacf  of  one  epauletted  fool.     The  troops  were  ordered 
to  form  and  advance  in  columns  through  the  woods  !  !  !-• 
In  a  tittlct,  tyme  the  ruin  which  Washin&ton  had 
dieted  ensued.     This  poor  devoted  army,  pushed 
their  mad-cap  general,  fell  into  the  fatal  snare  which  was 
laid  for  them.     All  at  once  a  thousai|| rifles  began  tlie 
work  of  death.     The  ground  was  instantly  covered  with 
the  dying  and  the  dead.    The  British  troops,  thus  slaugh- 
tered by  hundreds,  and  by  an  enemy  whom  they  could 
not  see,  wer«   thrown  irrecoverably  into  panic  and  con- 
fusion, and  in  a  few  minutes  their  hiughty  general  with 
1200  of  his  brave  but  unfortunate  eountrymen,  bit  the 
grouDd.    Poor  Braddocx  closed  the  tragedy  with  great 
decency.    He   was  mortdtty  wounded  in  the  beginning' 
of  the  action,  and  Wasrin(^n  had  him  placed  in  a 
cart  ready  for  retreat.    Close  on  the  left,  where   the 
weight  of  the  French  and  Indian'  fire  principally  fell, 
Wasbimgton  and  hia  Virginia  rijletnen,  dressed  in  blue, 
sustained  the  shock.  At  every  discharge  of  their  rifles 
ihe  wounded  general  cried   out,  **0   mj  brave  Virginia 
6luc$  I    Would  ta  God  I  could  lite  to  reward  jou  for  such 
gallantrj.**    But  he  died.    Washington  buried  him  in 
the  road,  and  to  savp  him  from  discovery  and  the  scalp- 
ing knife,  ordered  the  wamiis  on  their  retreat  to  drive 
mer  his  grave  l^Qjg^tM^ifhftl^  man  I  Even  a  thing  of 

fjoughti'i^'  -i^-i    - 

Amidst  JittJBpiffii^   co|Mt|f nation  and    carnage, 
an&jdst  lirthetMBir  and  hofr&rt  ofjyiifc  i^ndered  still 

;^HVih<!  screams  of 
romeb)  wm  vhf 


il  by  the  ^i|s%>f  the 

\f  Che  PllMir  shriek 


rHIe  of  th«  furious  asiaulting  savages  ;  Washinctow; 
calm  and  self-collected,  rallied  his  faithful  riflemen,  led 
them  on  to  the  charge,  killed  numbers  of  the  eftemy  whciTv^ 
were  rushing  on  with  tomaba\f1is,  checked  their  pursuiti 
and  brought  off  the  shattered  regains  of  the  British  army. 

With  respect  to  our  beloved  Washington,  we  cannot 
^but  mention  here  two  very  extraordinary  speeches  that 
were  uttered  about  him  at  this  time,  and  which,  as  things 
have  turned  out,  look  a  good  deal  like  prophecies.  A  fa- 
mous Indian  warrior  who  assisted  in  the  defeat  of  Brad- 
bock,  was  often  j^card  to  swear  that  Waseingtom  was 
not  born  to  be  killed  by  a  bullet ^  ^'Jor^"  continued  he,  •*  / 
had  \7  fair  Jires  at  him  vith  my  rijley  and,  ajtcr  a//,  | 
could  not  bring  him  to  the ^rmnd,"'^An<lf  indeed,  irhoever 
considers  that  a  gpod  rifle,  levelled  by  a  proper  marki- 
man,  hardly  ever  'misses  its  aim,  will  readily  enough 
conclude  with  this  unlettered  savage,  that  some  invisible 
hand  must  have  turned  aside  his,  bidets. 

The  Rev*  Mr^  Davies,  in  a  sermon  occasioned  li^ 
Gen.  Bradoock's  defeat,  has  these  remarkable  words— 
«*  /  beg  leave  to  point  the  attention  o/the public  to  that  heroic 
j/outhf  Col,  Gborqb  Washxkgtok,  whom  I  connot  but 
hope  providence  has  preserved  for  some  great  service  ta  this 
Country, 

%  CHAP.  VII. 

ADVENTURES  OF  CAPT.  DANIEL  BOON, 
Comprising  an  account  of  the  WARS  with  tu« 
INDIANS,  on  the  OHIO,  from  1769  to  1782. 


WRItfEV  Br  HIBISgljr* 


"IT  was  on  the  first  of  May,  1769i^ihat  I  rn. 
.ftigotd  my  doiqesiic  happiness,  and  Uft  roji^^^tly  ar.d 

.4.-""    ■■'■*"'■■- 


:'-S 


— lltf~ 


peMctble  habitation  on  the  Yadkin  river  in  North-Caro- 
llM,  t«  wander  through  u..  wilderness  of  America,  in 
queftt  vf  fhp  country  of  Kentuckyi  m  company  with 
JoHM  FisiL«,  JoHK  Stuart,  JosKpa  Joldkk,  James 
MoHAT  and  William  Cool. 

On  the  rih  June,  after  traveling  in  a  western  direc- 
lion,  we  found  ourselves  on  Red  riveir,  where  Johw  Fim- 
IKY  had  formerly  been  trading  with  the  Indians,  and 
from  the  top  of  an  eminence  saw  with  pleasure  the 
beautiful  level  of  Kentucky.  For  some  time  we  had  ex. 
perienced  the  most  uncomfortable  weather.  We  now 
encamped,  made  a  shelter  to  defend  us  from  the  inclem- 
ent season,  and  began  to  hunt  and  reconnoitre  the  coun* 
try.  We  found  abundance  of  wild  beasts  in  this  vast 
forest.  The  buffaloes  were  more  numerous  than  cattle 
on  other  settlements,  browsing  on  leaves  of  the  cane,  or 
crossing  the  herbage  on  these  extensive  plains.  We  saw 
hundreds  in  a  drove,  and  the  numbers  about  the  salt 
•prings  were  ama^ing.-.In  this  forest,  the  habitation  of 
beasts  of  every  American  kind,  we  hunted  with  great 
«uccebs  until  December. 

On  the  32d  December,  John  Stuart  and  I  had  a 
pleasing  ramble  ;>ut  fortune  changed  the  day  at  the 
close  of  it      We  had  passed  through  a   great  forest,  in 
which  stood  myriads  of  trees,  some  gay  wiih  blossoms; 
others  rich^  wiih   fruits.     Nature   was  here  a  series  of 
wonders  and  a  fund  of  delight.     Here  ihe  displayecf  her 
ingenifity  and  industry  in  a  variety  of  flowers  ami   fruits, 
bcaulifttHy  colored,  elegantly  shaped,  and'charmingly  fla- 
vored ;  and  we  were  favored  with   numberless  animals 
ptesenting  lu  -v^asJves  perpetually  to  our  view.     In  the 
^cUoeof  thf  tv    ,      ar  ^rntucky  river,  as  we  ascended 
j^ebrowofa   itr.  1  ;.ji|,  a  number   of  Indians   rushed 
^^Ul  of  a  tAi|^k  «fe,-<s  ;  ni.Ke  and  i-i.&dt  us   prisoners.    '1  he 
*4ttdMU|^'|^d^rcdu»aml  kept  us  in  confinement  seven 


•*; 


k» 


d^ys.  During  thi.  we  discdvercd  no  unetilncss  or  de- 
aire  to  escape,  which  made  them  leas  auspicious  but  Iq 
the  dead  of  night,  a.  we  lay  by  a  large  fire  in  a  thick 
cane  brake,  when  .leep  had  Jociced  up  ihcir  .cn.es,  my 
■itualion  riot  disposing  me  to  rest,  I  gently   a«roke  my 

Z«Trr^'  '''''^  thi«  favorable  opportunity  and 
doparted,  directing  our  course  toward  our  old  camp,  but 
found  It  pluiidered  and  our  company  dettroyed  or  di.. 

About  this  time,  tn  my  brother  with  another  adventur. 
er  who  came  to  explore  the  country  shortly  after  us,  was 
^randering  through  the  forest,  they  accidentally  found 
our  camp.  Notwithstanding  our  unfortik«(»te  circum. 
•tancca,  and  our  dangerous  situation,  surrounded  with 
hostile  savages,  our  meeting  fortunately  in  the  wiider- 
ness,  gave  us  the  most  sensible  satisfaction. 

Soon  after  this,  my  companion  in  captivity,  John  Sti^f 
Aar,  was  killed  by  the  savages,  and  the  man  who  came 
*rith  my  brother  (while  on  a  private  excursion)  was  soon 
after  attacked  and  killed  by  the  wolve.7  We  were  now 
m  a  dangerous  and  helpless  situation,  exposed  daily  to 
perils  and  death,  among  savages  and  wild  beast.,  not  a 
white  man  in  the  country  but  ourselves. 

Although  many  hundred   miles  from   our   families  in 
the  fowling  wilderness,  we  did  not  continue  in  a  state  of 
mdolence,  but  hunted  every  day,  and  prepared  a   l>ulc 
l5o;!.age  to  defend  us  from  the  winter  storms.     We    met 
vrith  no  disturbance  during  the  winter.    On    the  1st  of^ 
May,  1770,  my  brother  returned  horte  for  a  new  recruit 
of  horses  and  ammunition,   leaving   me  alone,  witbbut 
bread,  salt,  or  sugar,  or  even  a  horse  or  a  dog —I   p^^ 
*ed  a  few  days  uncon)rortably-.the  idea  of  a  belovedt  wife 
and  fannly,  and  their  anxiety  on  my  account.  Houfd  hav<; 
thought ».^==^— ,  n  z  «aci  i^u^n^am 


One  day  I  undertook  a  tour  through  the  countrf ,  when 
the  diversity  and  beauties  of  nature  I  met  with   in  this 
charming  season,  expelled  every  gloomy  thought.    Just 
•t  the  close  of  the  day^  the  gentle  gales  ceased  ;  a  pro- 
found calm  ensued  ;  not  a  breaih  shook   the  tremulous 
leaf*    I  had  gained  the  summit  of  a  commanding  ridgei 
>nd  looking  around  with  astonishing  delight  beheld   the 
ample  plains  and  beauteous  tracts  belov7*    On  one  hand 
I  surveyed  the  famous  Ohio  rolling  in  silent  dignity)  and 
marking  the  western  boundary  of  Kentucky  with  incon- 
ceivable  grandeur.     At  a  vast   distance  I  beheld  the 
mountains  lift  their  venerable  brows  and  penetrate   the 
clouds.    AU  things  were  still.     I  kindled  a  tire  near  ^ 
fountain  of  sweet  water,  and  feasted  on  the  line  of  a 
buck  which  I  had  killed  a  few  hours  before.   The  shades 
of  night  soon  overspread  the  hemisphere,  and  the  earth 
seemed  to  gasp  after  the  hovering  moisture.    At  a  dis- 
tance I  frequently  heard  the  hideous  yells  of  savages.--. 
My  excursion  had  fatigued  my  body  and  amused  my 
mind.    I*^id  mor  down  to  sleep,  and  awoke  not  until  the 
8U0  had  chased  away  the  night.     I   continued   this  tour 
»nd  in  a  few  days  explored   a  considerable   part  of  the 
country,  each  day  equally   pleasing  as  the  first ;  after 
which  I  returned  to  my  old  campi  which   had   not  been 
disturbed  in  my  absence.     I  did  not  confine  my  lodging 
to  it,  but  often  reposed  in  thick  cane  brakes  to  avoid  the 
savages,  who  I  believe  frequently  visited  my  camp,  but 
fortunately  for  me,  in  my  absence.    No  populous  city 
with  all  its  yarieties  of  commerce  and  stately  structures, 
co'ild  afford  so  much  pleasure  to  my  mind,  as  the  beau- 
ties of  nature  I  found  in  this  country. 

Until  the  srih  July,  I  ^spent  the  time  in  an  uninter- 
rupted scene  of  sylvan  pleasures,  wher  my  brother,  to 
my  great  isliciiy,  tnct  me,  accoft'ing  to  sppoin'ment  st 
our  old  camp.    Soon  after  we  left  the  place  arid  proceed- 


■%/ 


'IP 


•>-lI9-^ 


«t!  to  Cumberland  river,  reconnoltreing  that  part  of  the 
country,  and  giving^  names  to  the  different  rivers. 

In  March,  1771,  I  returned  home  to  my  family,  being 
tletermmed  to  bringrthcm  as  soon  as  possible,  at  the  ri^ 
of  my  life  and  fortune,  to  reside  in  Kentucky  which  I  q^ 
teemed  a  second  paradise. 

On  my  return  I  found  my  family  in  happy  circum- 
stances. I  sold  my  farm  on  the  Yadkin,  and  what  good* 
we  could  not  carry  with  us,  and  on  the  25th  September, 
irrs,  we  took  leave  of  our  friends  and  proceeded  on  our 
journey  to  Kentucky,  in  company  with  five  more  families 
and  forty  men  that  joined  us  in  Powell's  Valley,  which  it 
150  miles  from  the  new  settled  parts  of  Kentucky  j— but 
this  promising  beginning  was  soon  overcast  with  a  cloud 
of  adversity. 

On  the  loth  October  the  rear  of  our  company  was  at 
tacked  by  a  parly  of  Indians  ;  who  killed  six,  and  woundl 
cd  one  man.    Of  these  my  eldest  son   was  one  that  fell 
in  the  action.    Though  we  repulsed  the  enemy,  yet  ihi« 
unhappy  aflTair  scattered  our  cattle  and  brought  us  fnM 
extreme  difficulty— we  retreated  forty  miles  to  the  act^  * 
llement  on  Clench  river.      We   had  passed   over  two 
mountains,  Powell's  and  Walden's,  and  were  approach- 
ing Cumberland   mountain,  when  this  adverse  foriBftc 
overtook  us.     These  mountains  are  in  the  wilderness,  ^■ 
passing  from  the  old  settlements  in  Virginia  to  Kentucky 
are  ranged  in  a  southwest  and  northeast  direction,  are  of 
great  length  and  breadth,  and  not  far  distant  from  e.'.ch 
other.     Over  them  nature  hath   formed  passes  less  dilTi. 
cult  than  might  be  expected  from  the  view  of  such  huge 
piles.    The  aspect  of  these  cliffs  are  so  wild  and  horrid 
that  it  is  impossible  to  behold  them  without  horror.       * 
Until  the  6th  June,  1774,  I  remained  with  my  fam'ilf 
•-"•  '"t  Clinch,  when  I  and  anoiher  person  were  «Hic,te4 
mrnor  Dummore,  of  Virgini!.,  to  coOilucl  a  Uuai,     i 


W£.. 


by 


M. 


to  the  falls 


-^130— 


This  was  a  toKf 


h^t  of  surveyors 

of  800  miles,  and  took  us  sixty>two  days. 

On  my  return,  Gov.  Dunmork  gave  me  the  command 
of  three  garrisons  during  the  campaign  against  the 
Shawanese.  In  March,  1775,  at  the  solicitation  of  a 
numberorgentlemenofNorth'Carolina,  I  attended  their 
treaty  at  Wataga,  with  the  Cherokee  Indians,  to  purchase 
the  lands  on  the  south  side  of  Kentucky  river.  After  thia 
I  undertook  to  mark  cut  a  road  in  the  best  passage  irom 
the  settlements  through  the  wilderness  to  Kentucky. 

Having  collected  a  number  of  enterprising  men  well 
arjpned,  I  soon  began  this  work— we  proceeded  until  we 
pame  within  fifteen  miles  of  where  Boonsborough  now 
stands)  where  the  Indians  attacked  us,  and  killed  two 
and  wounded  two  more  of  our  party.  This  was  on  the 
sad  March,  1775^lwodays  after  we  were  again  attacked 
by  them,  ^hen  we  had  two  more  killed  and  three  wound* 
ed.  After  this  we  proceeded  on  to  Kentucky  river  with-> 
out  further  opposition. 

On  the  1st  April  we  began  to  erect  the  fort  of  Boons* 
borough,  at  a  salt  lick,  sixty  yards  from  ^the  river  on  the 
south  side.  On  the  4th  the  Indians  killed  one  of  our 
men.  On  the  14th  of  June,  having  completed  the  fort^ 
I  returned  to  my  family  on  the  Ciirtch,  and  whom  I  soon 
after  removed  to  the  fort — my  wife  and  daughter  were 
supposed  to  be  the  first  white  women  that  ever  stood 
upon  the  banks  of  Kentucky  river  i 

On  the  24  h  December  the  Indians  killed  one  of  our 
men  and  wounded  another  ;  and  on  the  15th  July,  1776« 
they  took  my  daughter  prisoner— I  immediately  pursued 
them  with  eight  men,  and  on  the  16th  overtook  and  en- 
gaged them,  I  killed  two  of  them  and  recovered  ray 
daughter. 

The  Indians  havlno*  divided  themselves  into  several 
partiesj,  attacked  on  one  day  ail  our  infant  settlefnei,us 


<«•»• 


«^,. 


—181-. 


ts  a  twte 

command 
gainst  the 
tion  of  a 
ded  their 
purchase 
After  thift 
age  irom 
icky, 
[nen  well 
until  we 
)ugh  now 
billed  two 
s  on  the 
I  attacked 
56  wound* 
iver  with<< 

of  Boons* 
^er  on  the 
le  of  our 
the  forty 
)m  I  soon 
Iter  were 
ver  stoo4 

rie  of  our 
ly,  1776, 
'  pursued 
i  and  en- 
tered vaf 

o  several 
sttJccnents 


•ha  ft,««.  aomg  a  fereat  deal  of  datnage-the  h«,bahd- 
teen  were  ambushed  and  unexpectedly  attacked  whiles 
tchng  ,„  the  field.    They  continued  this  kind  of  war- 
fare until  the  15th  April  1777,  when  nearly  100  of  them 
attacked  the  village  of  Booneborough,  and  killed  a  num- 
ber of  ,t.  .nhabnant..    On  the   19,h  Colonel  Looah's 
fort  waa  attacked  by  200  Indiana^there  were  only   15 
inen  m  the  fort,  of  whom  the  enemy  killed  two  tad 
wounded  one*  *. 

On  the  20th  Angust,  Col.  BowMAur  arrited  with  100 
feier.  from  Virginia,  with  which  additional  force  we  had 
almost  daily  skirmishes  with  the  Indians,  who  began 
sow  to  learn  the  superiority  of  the  «  ion^  A„i/e/*  as  they 
termed  the  Virginians  j  being  out.generaled  in  almost 
erery  acl.on.  Our  affairs  began  noW  to  wear  a  bettcras- 
pect,  the  Indians  no  longer  daring  to  face  tis  in  open" 
field,  but  sought  private  opportunities  tb  destroy  us. 

On  the  Jrth  February,  17 f  8,  while  on  a  hunting  excur. 
•ion,  alone,  I  met  a  party  of  102  Indians,  and  2  French- 
men, marchit^.  to  attack  Boonsborough^thty  pursued 
and  look  me  prisoner,  and  conveyed  me  to  Old  Chelicoi 
the,  the  principal  Indian  town  on  Little  Miami,  where  ii| ' 
arrived  on  the  18ih  February,  after  an  uncomfortabh^- 
journey^^On  the  10th  March  1  was  condUctcd^ir^e. 
troit,  and  while  there  was  treated  with  great  hui»«n,ty  by 
iSovernor  HAMtLxov,  the  British  commanaer  at  ih/t 
port,  and  Intendant  for  Indian  affairs* 

The  Indians  had  such  an  affection  fot  ttt^  that  they 
refused  100/,  sterling  offered  them  by  the  Qovernor,  U^ 
they  would  consent  to  leave  me  vith  him,  that  Ije  might 
be  enabled  to  liberate  me  on  my  parole.  Several  Englhli 

f!^^!**"?  **"!."  !'^^*''°'^'  ""*'"»'«  of  my  adverse  fo^c,  . 
-n,..  tousiieu  With  sympaihy,  generously  offered  to  si^li 
my  wanti,  which  I  deelioed  with  many  thaiftiw  tddi  ^ 


2m: 


•& 
'#.. 


^133-. 


'  'Six 


■.m^^ 


that  I  ntver  expected  it  would  be  in  my  power  to  reconi* 
pence  such  unmerited  generosity. 

Or  the  lOth  April  tho  Indians  returned  with  me  to 
Old  Chelioothe,  whevw*  we  arrived  on  the  25th.— Th'Mi 
was  a  long   and  fatiguing  march,  although   through  art 
exceeding   fertile  country,  remarkable  for  springs  and 
streams  of  water.     At  Chelicothe  I-  apent  my  time  as 
comfortable   as  I  could  expect ;  was  adopted,  accordinf^ 
to  their  custom,  into  a  family,  where  I  became  a  son,  and 
had  a  great  share  in  the  affection  of  my  new  parents, 
brothers,  sisters,  and  friends*    I  wa» exceedingly  lamiliar 
and  friendly   with  them,  always  appearing  as  cheerful 
and  contented  as  possible,  and  they  put  great  confidence 
in  me.     I  often  wtint  a  hunting  with  them,  and  frequently 
gained  their  applause  for  my  activity  at  our  sHooting; 
naatches.     I  was  careful  not  to  exceed  many  of  them  iii 
shooting,  for  no  people  are  more  envious  than  they  in 
this  sport.     I  could  observe  'n  their  countenances  ^nd 
gestdres  the  greatest  expressions  of  joy  when   they  ex- 
ceeded me,  and  when  the  reverse  happened,  of  envy.— 
Tlie  Shawanese  king  took  great  notice  of  me,  and  treated 
me  with  profound  respect  and  entire  friendship,  often 
entrusting  me  to  hunt  at  my  liberty.  I  frequently  return- 
ed with  the  spoils  of  the  woods,  and  as  often  presented 
some  of  what  I  had  taken  to  him,  expressive  of  duty  to 
my  sovereign.     My   food  and  lodging  was  in   common 
with  them,  not  so  good  indeed  as  I  could  desire,  but  ne- 
cessity made  every  thing  acceptable. 

I  now  began  to  meditate  an  escape,  and  carefully 
avoided  giving  suspicion.  I  continued  at  Chelicolhe  un*» 
til  the  first  day  of  June,  when  I  was  taken  to  the  salt 
springs  on  Sciotha,  and  there  employed  ten  days  in  the 
manufacttiring  of  salt.     During  this  time  I  hunted   with 

fbout  this  river  to  exceed  the  soil  of  Kentucky. 


f'^-' 


/■'*<r-^ 


# 


i-123— 


>  recom* 


On  my  return  to  Chelicothe,  450  of  the  cliolcest  In-' 
<|ian  warriors  were  ready  to  march  against  Boonsborougli ; 
they  were   painted  and  armed   in  a  frightful   tnannet.. 
This  alarmed  me  and  i  determined  to  escape. 

On  the  1 6th  of  June,  before  sunrise,  I  went  off  secretly, 
tnd  reached  Boonsberough  on  the  20th,  a  journey  of  160 
miles,  during  which  I  had  only  one  meal.  I  four)d  our 
.fortress  in  a  bad  state,  but  we  immediately  repaired  our 
flanks,  gates,  posterns,  and  formed  double  bastions,  which 
ire  completed  in  ten  days.  One  of  my  fellow  prisonera 
escaped  after  me,  brought  advice  that  on  account  of  my 
flight,  the  Indians  liad  put  off  iheir  expedition  for  3  weeks. 

About  August  1st,  I  set  out  with  19  men  to  surprisd 
Print  Creek  Town  on  Scioiha,  within  four  miles  of  which 
we  fell  in  with  40  Indians  g  ling  against  Boonsborough— 
we  attacked  them  and  they  soon  gave  way  without  anr 
loss  on  our  part— the  enemy   had  one  killed  and  two 

wounded— we  took  ihrc^^orse^  and  all  their  baggage 

The  Indians  having  evacukted  their  town,  and  gone  alt«. 
gether  agamst  Boonsborough,  we  returned,  passed  them 
on  the  6ih,  and  on  the  7th  arrived  safe  at  Boonsborough. 

On  the  8th,  the  Indian  army,  consisting  *3f  444  men, 
under  the  command  of  Capt.  Du<^esxk,  and  eleven  oth- 
er Frenchmen,  and  their  own  chiefs,  arrived  and  sunj. 
moned  the  fort  to  surrender.  I  requested  two  days  con- 
sideration, which  was  granted.  During  rhis  we  brought 
in  through  the  posterns  all  the  hottes  and  olKer  catite 
we  couJd  collcrt:.       ,  i-^      ;^.-  / 

On  the  9ih,  in  the  evening,  I  informed  tbeif  i^mmand- 
er,  that  we  were  determined  to  defend  the  fort^>  wNJ^  a 
man  was  living.  They  then  proposed  a  ireaty^rstot?  said' 
if  we  sent  out  nine  men  to  conclude  it,  they  WtouUl  wiih- 
draw.  The  treaty  was  held  within  sixty  y^id^  of  the 
sort,  as  we  suspected  the  savages.  The  ar£i€^  .w«iCP 
agreed  to  and  signed  j  when  the  Indians  told:||9i H 


itheir  custom  for  two  Indian*  to  shake  handa  with  everf 
white  man  in  the  treaty,  as  an  evidence  of  friendship,? 
We  agreed  to  this  also.  1  hey  immediately  grappled  lu 
to  take  us  prisoners,  but  we  cleared  ourselves  of  then? 
though  surrounded  by  hundreds,  and  gained  the  fort  safe! 
except  one  man  who  was  woiinded  by  a. heavy  fire  from 
the  enemy. 

The  savages  began  now  to  undermine  the  fort,  begins 
nmg  at  the  water  mark  of  Kentucky  river,  which  is  60 
yards  from  the  fort ;  this  we  discovered  by  the  water  be- 
ingmade  mpddy  by  the  clay-we  countermined  them  by 
cuuing  a  trench  across  their  subterraneous  passage,  The 
enemy  discovering  this  by  the  clay  we  threw  out  of  the 
fort,  desisted.  On  the  2oih  August  they  raised  the  siege 
Juring  which  we  had  two  men  killed  and  four  wounded. 
We  lost  a  number  of  cattle,  The  loss  of  the  enemy  was 
^7  killed,  and  a  much  larger  number  wounded.  We 
pipked  up  l?5lbs.  of  their  bullets,  besides  what  stuck  in 
the  logs  of  the  fort, 

In  July,  Jrr9,  during  my  absence,  Col.  Bowman,  witi) 
«60  men,  went  against  the  Shawanese  of  Old  Cnelitolhe. 
He  arrived  undiscovered,  a  baule  ensued,  which  lasted 
«ntil  ten  in  the  morning,  when  Col.  Bowman  retreated 
50  miles.  The  Indians  collected  all  their  strength  and 
pursued  him,  when  another  engagement  ensued  for  two 
hours,  not  to  Col.  Bowman's  advantage.  Col.  Harbor 
proposed  to  mount  a  numl^r  of  horses  and  break  the  en- 
emy's  line,  who  at  this  time  fought  with  remarkable  furyv 
4  Ills  desperate  measure  had  a  happy  effect,  and  the  sav- 
ages,  fled  on  all  sides.  In  these  two  engagements  we 
«ad  nifle  mtn  killed  and  one  wounded,  linemy's  loss 
uncertaiqi  only  two  scs^lps  were  taken. 

jQne22d,  1780,  500  Indians  and  Canadians  undtr  Co!. 
BiRD,%ttacked  Kiddie's  and  Martin's  station,  andiifc 
i-vri^s  of  t.icking  river,  wiih  si:^ pieces  of  arUUery;  M»«^ 


took  all  the  inhabitants  captire,  and  killed  one  man  and 
two  women,  loaded  the  others  with   the  heavy  bag.aJl 
•net  such  as  failed  in  the  journey  were  tomahawked 

The  hosule  disposition  of  the  savages,  caused  General 
^LARK.  the  commandant  at  the  falls  of  Ohio,  to  march 
with  his  regiment  and  the  armed  force  of  the  countrir 
agamst  Peccaway,  the  principal  town  of  the  Shawanese 
on  a  branch  of  the  great  Miami,  which  he  attacked  with 
great  success,  took  seventy  scalps,  and  reduced  the  town 
to  ashes,  with  the  loss  of  seventeen  men. 

y ;  for  durmg  my  captivity,  my  wife,  thinking  me  kil- 
led by  the  Indians,  had  transported  my  family  fndgoo^. 
on  horses  through  the  wilderness,  amidst  many  danger, 
to  her  farther's  house  in  North-Carolina.  ^     ' 

Oft  the  6ih  of  October,  irao,  soon  after  my  settling 
•gam  at  Boonsborough,  I  went  with  my  brother  to  ih. 
Blue  Licks,  and  on  our  return,  he  was  shot  by  a  part, 
pf  Indians,  they  followed  me  by  scent  of  a  dog,  wWch  I 
ahot  and  escaped.  The  severity  of  the  winTer  cauj 
great  distress  m  Kentucky,  the  enemy  during  the  sum- 

a^^ntl  ^ZVT'^i  ""'  ""''''  ^^--    The  inhabl 
ints  lived  chieay  on  Buffaloe's  flesh. 

In  spring,  17«2,  the  Indiaas  harrassed  ^al. 
they  ravished,  kij^ed  and  scalped  a  woman  ap< 
llaughtersneay^sHTON's  fetation,  and  took  ali.. 
P"er.  Capu  Ashtov  pursueii  ihem  with  35  nli«v«, 
in  an  engagement  which  lasted  two  hours,  his  party  ^ 
Pijhged  to  retreat,  having  8  killed  and  4  mortally  wouod- 
uri  ;  tbei-  brave  commander  fell  in  tiht^action; 

Augysl  lOfeb.  two  boys  were  carrf^^^ff  from  Major 
Hoy's  station-rCapt.  Holder  pursued  the  enemy  with 
17  men,  who  were  also  defeated,  with  %  jMfcof  7  kil. 
-  ..  _.._  _  Trv-«r, .:..«.  ^uj-  anairs  uecame  mmmwm  more 
^J#nning.    The  iavages  infested  the  country  and  de« 


^i*-. 


■^' 


— 1S6— 


#" 


^royed  the  whites  as  opportunity  presented.  In  a  fieW 
nt'ar  Lexington,  an  Indian  shot  a  man  and  running  t« 
scalp  him,  was  himself  shot  from  the  Tort  and  fell  dead 
upon  the  ground*  AH  the  Indian  naiions  were  now  uni- 
ted against  us* 

Auf^ubt  15th,  500  Indians  and  Canadians  came  against 
Briat's  station,  hve  miles  from  Lexingtoni  they  assault, 
ed  the  fori  and  killed  ali  the  cattle  round  it  ;  but  being 
repulsed  they  retired  the  third  day,  having  about  ftO  kil- 
led, their  wounded  uncertain*  The  garrison  had  four 
kiilcd  and  nine  wounded. 

August  18ih,  Colonels  Todd  and  Trigg,  Major  Har.' 
LAND  and  my^clt,  speedily  collected  one  hundred  and 
6eventy>six  men,  well  armed,  and  pursued  the  savages. 
They  had  marched  beyond  the  Blue  Licks,  to  a  remBika- 
ble  bend  of  the  main  tork  of  Licking  River,  about  43 
SDileit  from  Lexington,  where  we  overtook  them  on^  tho 
19ih.  The  savages  observing  us,  gave  way,  and  we  ig<* 
norani  of  their  numbers,  passtd  the  river.  When  they 
saw  our  proceedings  (having  greatly  the  advantuge  in 
situation)  they  formed  their  line  of  battle  from  one  end 
of  the  licking  to  the  other,  about  a  mile  from  the  Blue 
I^icks.  The  engagement  wa>i  close  and  warm  for  about 
fiUeen  minutes,  when  we,  being  overpowered  by  num- 
beis,  were  obliged  to  retreat,  with  the  loss  of  67  men, 
7  of  whom  were  taken  prisoners.  The  brave  and  much 
lamented  Colonels  Todd  and  Trigg,  Major  Harland, 
and  my  second  son.  were  among  the  dead.  We  were 
afterwards  informed,  that  the  Indians,  on  numbering 
their  dead,  finding  that  they) had  four  more  killed  than 
we,  four  of  our  people  they  had  taken  were  given  up  to 
their  young  warriors,  to  be  put  to  death  after  their  bar- 
barous manner. 

On  our  retreat  we  were  met  by  Col.  Logan,  who  WM 
Lastcniog  to  join  us,  with  a  number  of  well  armed  jrae»* 


—137— 

ThJs  powerful  assistance  we  wanted  on  the  day  of  battfc; 
The  enemy  said  one  more  tire  from  us  would  have  mado 
them  give  way* 

I  cannot  rellect  upon  this  dreadful  scene,  without  greal 
sorrow.    A  zeal  for  the  defence  of  their  country  led  thesei 
heroes  to  the  scene  of  action,  though  with  a  few  men,  lo 
attack  a  powerful  army  of  experienced  warriors.     When 
we  gave  way,  they  pursued  us  with  the  utmost  eagerness, 
and  in  every  quarter  spread  destruction.    The  river  wa» 
difficult  to  cross,  and  many  were  killed  in  the  flight,  some 
just  entering  the  river,  some  in  the  water,   others  after 
crossing  in  ascending  the  cliffs.    Some  escaped  on  horse- 
back,  a  few  on  foot ;  and  being  dispersed  every   where, 
in  a  few  hours,  brought  the  melancholy  news  of  this  ud- 
fortunate  battle  to  Lcxingion.    Many  widows  w€r«  now 
made.     The   reader   may  guess  what  sorrow  filled  the 
hearts  of  the  inhabitants,  exceeding  any  thing  that  I  am 
able  to  describe.     Being  reinforced,  we  returned  to  burr 
the  dead,  and  found  their  bodies  strewed  every  where, 
cut  and  mangled  in  a  dreadful  manner.    This  mournf«l 
scene  exhibited  a  horror  almost  unparallelled  ;  some  torn 
and  eaten  by  wild  beasts ;  those  in  the   river  eaten   by 
fishes ;  all  in  such  a  putrid  condition,  that  no  one  could 
be  distinguished  from  another. 

When  General  Clark,  at  the  falls  of  Ohio,  heard  of 
our  disaster,  he  ordered  an  expedition  to  pursue  the  aav. 
ages,  we  overtook  them  within  two  miles  of  their  tovpns. 
and  we  should  have  obtained  Hgreat  victory,  had  noj 
some  of  them  met  us  when  about  two  hundred  pole* 
from  their  camp.  The  savages  fled  in  the  utmost  disor- 
der,  and  evacuated  all  their  towns.  We  burned  to  ashw 
OldChelicothe,  Peccaway,  NcwChelicothe,..and  Wills- 
Town  ;  entirely  destroyed  their  corn  and  <^  fVoifs  ' 
aid  spread  dcsolution  thrnuiyh  ih..ii.  /.«.,«#-i  *4ter_  ._  .' 
icfen  prisoners  and  fifteea  scalps,  and  lost  dlif  IbMe 


il 


■  '^*- 

■■■e^ 


-.188— 


\ 


r 


tntfl,  two  of  whom  were  accidentaUf  killed  hj  OMntUtii 
This  campaign  dumped  the  enemfi  yet  thejr  made  secret 
incursions*  •*>< 

In  October  a  party  attacked  Crab  Orchard,  and  one  ct 
'vthem  being  a  good  way  before  the  others,  boldly  entered 
M  house,  in  which  were  only  a  woman  and  h  -r  children, 
'•'"fend  a  negro  man.  The  savage  used  no  violence,  but  at- 
tempted to  carry  off  the  negro,  who  happily  proved  too 
strong  for  him,  and  threw  him  on  the  ground,  and  in  the 
struggle  the  woman  cut  off  his  head  with  an  axe— >whilat 
her  little  daughter  shut  the  door^  The  savages  instantly 
came  np  and  applied  their  tomahawks  to  the  door,  when 
the  mother  putting  an  old  rusty  gun  barrtl  through  tho 
crevices,  the  savages  immediately  w^t  off. 

From  that  time  till  the  happy  return  of  peace  between 
the  United  States  and  Great-Britain,  the  Indians  did  us 
no  mischief.    Soon  after  this  the  Indians  desired  {.■'^cr. 

Two  darling  sons  and  a  brother  I  have  lost  by  saviige 
hands,  which  have  also  taken  from  me  40  valuable  horses^ 
and  abundance  of  cattle.  Many  dark  and  sleepless 
nights  have  I  spent,  separated  from  the  cheerful  society 
of  men,  scorched  by  the  summer's  sun,  and  pinched  by 
the  winter's  cold,  an  instrument  ordained  to  settle  the 
wilderness. 

DANIEL  BOON* 
'    JPayetti  County,  Kentucky,         • 


CHAP.  VIII. 


N««a 


EXPEDITION  AW©  DEFEAT  of  Gew.  HARME!1| 
Mr  vat  INDIANS,  1790. 


:*M- 


ALTHOUGH  a  peace  was  happily  effected  be- 
tWctD  the  two  contending  pariittS)  Gr«tt*Britain  and  ht 


'9' 
1 


A 


Aierica,  io  1783,  jret  the  Savages,  who  had  beeh  peri 
•uaded  lo  take  a  part  with  the  former  were  unwilling  to 
bury  the  bloody  hatchet— they  had  not  sufficiently  bath- 
ed that  destructive  weapon  in  the  blood  of  the  Amcri- 
cans— without  any  pretext  whatever,  they  continued  to 
txercihc  toward  ihenrj  the  most  wanton  acts  of  barbarity. 
It  appeared  from  respectable  evidence,  that  from  the 
year  1783,  until  the  month  of  October  1790,  the  time 
the  United  States  commenced  offensive  operations  a- 
gainst  the  said  Indians,  that  on  the  Ohio,  and  the  fron- 
tiers on  the  south  side  thereof,  they  killed,  wounded  and 
.took  prisoners,  about  one  thousand  five  hundred  men, 
women  and  children,  besides  carrying  off  upwards  of  two 
thousand  horses,  and  other  property  to  the  amount  of 
fifty  thousand  dollars* 

The  particuUrs  of  many  of  the  instances  of  barbarity 
exercised  upon  the  prisoners,  of  different  ages,  and  sexes, 
,.^Uhough  supported  by  indisputable  evidence,  are  of  too 
shocking  a  nature  to  be  presented  to  the  public —it  is 
sufficient  here  to  observe  that  the  scalping  knife  and  toma- 
hawk, were  the  mildest  instruments  ofdeaih.  That  in 
some  cases  torture  by  fire,  and  other  execrable  means 
.were  used* 

But  the  outrages  which  were  committed  upon  the 
frontier  inhabitants,  were  not  ihe  only  injuries  that  were 
sustained;  repeated  attacks  upon  detachments  of  the 
troops  of  thcUpiied  States,  were  at  different  t.mes  made. 
The  following  fr6*i;4ts  peculiar  enormity  deserves  reci- 
tal.-In  Aprt*,^?Op.  Maj.  Doughty  (in  service  of  the 
United  Slates)  was  ordered  to  the  friendly  Chicasaws  on 
public  business.  He  performed  this  dutv  in  a  boat,  hav- 
ing with  him  a  party  of  fifteen  men.  While  ascending 
the  Tennesse  river,  he  was  met  by  a  party  of  forty  In- 
dians, in  four  canoes,  consiatinff  nrin^jn.-.nsf  itf  isfea-^-!j, 
nesc  and  out-cast  Chcrokces.— They  approithk%iider 


—  ISO  — 


a  white  fldp,  the  well  known  emblem  of  pence;  Tb^ 
came  on  board  the  Major's  boat,  recicved  his  presentii 
conrintied  Mriih  him  nearly  an  hour,  and  then  departed  in 
the  mo«t  friendly  manner.— >Rut,  they  had  scarcely  clear* 
ed  his  oars  before  they  poured  in  a  fire'  upon  his  crewi 
whieh  was  returned  as  soon  as  circumstances  would  per- 
mit,  and  a  most  unequal  combat  was  sustained  for  sever&l 
hours,  when  they  abandoned  their  design^  brit  not  until 
ther  had  killed  and  wounded  eleven  out  of  fifteen  of  th^e 
boat's  crew. 

All  owrrures  of  peace  failini^,  arid  the  depredatiorts 
still  continuing,  an  atifempt  at  coertion  became  indispen- 
sable; accordingly,  on  the  30th  September,  1790,  the 
President,  by  and  with  the  consent  arid  advice  of  the 
Cong^ressof  (he  United  States,  despatched  Gen.  Harmksi, 
with  320  Federal  troops  and  1133  militia,  under  his  com- 
mand, to  shttick  and  destrojr  their  principal  villages. 

The  troops  after  seventeen  days  march  from  Miamif 
reached  the  great  Miami  village^  without  anf  other  mo- 
katatiott  than  that  of  having  a  number  of  their  pack 
horses  stolen.  On  their  arrival  they  found  the  village 
deserted,  and^all  the  valuable  buildings  in  flames,  set  on 
fire  by  the  Indians.  After  a  short  tarry,  they  proceeded 
to  the  neighboring  villages,  without  molestation,  and 
destroyed  five  of  them,  and  a  large  quantity  of  com* 
convputed  at  fifteen  thousand  bushels,  ;irhich  they  found 
buried  in  different  places;  and  very  large  quantities  of 
fegitables  of  every  kind. 

The  first  opposition  that  vras  met  with  a  party  of  about 
150  Kentucky  militia,  and  30  regular  troops,  all  undei^ 
the  command  ofGol.  Harding,  of  Kentucky,  were  de- 
tached from  the  main  body  lying  in  the  great  Miami  viU 
lage,  to  parsoa  the  trail  of  a  party  of  Indians,  which  had 
the  day  before  been  diecovercdt.  After  a  pursuit  of  aboul 
six  miicsy  they  came  up  with,  and  weni  attacked  on  s^ 

'  I" 


— 181— 

fjKbe  by  a  body  of  Indian,  who  were  concealed  in  tbt 
Uiickets  on  every  side  of  a  large  pLin,  and  on  the  first 
onwl  the  raili.la  without  exchangmg  a  single  shot,  made 
a  most  precipitate  retreat  and  left   the  regular  tvL,  to 
•land  the  whole  charge  of  the  Indians  ;  the  conflict  wa. 
»hort  and  bloody,  the  troops  were  soon  overpowered  hi 
numbers,  and  ^11  fell  except  two  officers,  and  two  or  thiJ^o 
privates,    ^fiex  defending  themselves  at    their   bayoiurt 
pent.,    with   the  greatest   possible   obstinacy.     lj,^„ 
HARTSHOHNwasone  of  the  officers  who  providenX 
escaped,  and  hi.  escape  appeared  to  depend  more  on  I 
lucky  circumstance  of  faltering  over  a  log  in  his  retreat 
And  by  that  means  screening  himself  from  the  eye  of  hi.' 
pursuers,  than  from  any  other  circumstance/ Cam.  ^ 
Abmstroh«    Who  comn,anded  the  party,  likewise  Ce 
his  escape,  by  plunging  himself  i^o  a  pond  pr  swam^^^ 
to  his  neck,  wjthm  two  hundred  yards  of  the  firld  of  ac 
lion,  where  he  remained  the  whole  night  a  spectator  to 
the  hornd  scene  of  the  war  dance  performed  over  the 
dead  and  wounded  bodies  pf  ti,e  poor  .oldier.  that  M 
fallen  the   preceding  day  ,   where  their  shrieks    mixeJ 
..th^^^^^^^^^^ 

After  this,  some  few  skirmishes  succeded,  bu^noth- 
ing  materia^,  until  the  second  capital  action,  Uich  hap. 
pened  t»vo  days  after  the  army  left  the  Miami  villawl! 
at  ten  miles  distance  from  the  town,  the  General  Kder. 
«d  a  halt,  and  detached  from  four  to  five  hundred  mili. 
tia,  and  about  sixty  regular  soldiers,  under  the  command 
of  Major  Wyllys  and  Colonel  Hahding,  who  were  or! 
dered  to  march  back  to  the  town.  On  their  first  entrance 
there  appeared  a  sn^all  body  of  Indians,  who  iipmediate, 
iy  fled  at  the  first  onset,  and  by  that  means  decoyed  the 
whole  body  of  the  militia,  by  makmg  their  flight  in  Hif. 
*Frcwt  oireciioDs,  pnd  encouraging  the  militia  to  pursues 


# 


I 


(«» 


— IS3— 

by  this  stratigem  the  few  regular  troops  were  left  alonoy 
and  the  Indians  had  effected  their  design,  for  the  moment 
they  found  the  small  handful  of  regular  troops  detached 
from  the  main  body  of  the  militia,  they  commenced  the 
attack  with  their  whole  force,  excepting  the  flying  par- 
ties that  had  divided  the  militia ;  and  although  they 
soon  found  some  part  of  the  militia  returning  on  their 
backs,  pursued  their  object  of  routing  and  destroying  the 
troops,  as  the  only  sure  plan  of  success ;  Which  after  li 
most  bloody  conflict  on  each  side,  they  effected. 

Nothing  could  exceed  the  intrepidity  of  the  savages  on 
this  occasion  j  the  militia  they  appeared  to  despise,  and 
ijrith  r/11  the  undauntedness  conceivable,  threw  down  theii* 
guns,  and  rushed  upon  'he  bayonets  of  the  regular  sol- 
diers ;  a  number  of  them  fell,  but  being  so  far  superior 
m  numbers,  the  regulars  were  soon  overpowered,  for 
while  the  poor  soldier  had  his  bayonet  in  one  Indian,  two 
more  would  sink  their  tomahawks  in  his  head.  The  de- 
feat of  i  he  troops  was  cotnplete,  the  dead  and  wounded 
Were  left  on  the  field  of  action,  in  possession  of  the  savagest 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  official  return  of  the  kil^ 
led  and  wounded  in  the  expedition  j— 

Killed  oj  the  Federal  Troops, 

1  Major,  1,  Lieutenant,  73  rank  and  file— total  Tj. ^ 

.  "Wounded— 3  rank  and  file. 

Killed  of  the  Militia* 

1  Major,  3  Captains,   2   Lieutenants,  4  Ensigns,   98 

rank   and  file— total   108 Wounded— 2  Lieutenants, 

1  Ensign,  25  rank  and  file — total— 28. 

The  regular  troops  all  to  nine,  including  two  commis« 
sioned  officers,  were  killed— among  the  slain  was  Major 
Wtllvs,  and  a  number  of  brave  and  valuable  .soldiers. 


'ft' 


.J    r>.__  -_.^_  ^^..,>.   ^:,i  •>«<.»•  1. 1 «>i> 

:u,  iStJiti   3Uii;c  i.auBC)  uiu   siu-.  tn::::^ 


it  prudent  to  pursue  their  succeisses  from  the  field  of  a(> 


—  133— 


fron,  M  most  of  the  tfdop»  that  were  not  killed  or  ba^Ir 

m^  K  !rf'  *'»*'''^  ""P«»  ^hich,  they  could  not  bate 
cBccled  had  the  enemy  pursued  with  their  usual  fury. 


CHAP.  IX, 

EXPEDITIONS    OF   GENERALS    SCfOTT  ANI> 

WILKINSON, 

IX  MAr  AVD  AuGUSff    1/91, 

Gbk.  SCOTT  TO  THE  SECRETARY  or  WAR. 

«  IN  prosecution  of  the  enterprise,  I  marched 
(with  850  troops  under  my  command)  four  miles  from 
the  banks  of  the  Ohio  on  the  23d  May,  and  on  the  24tb 
1  resumed  my  march,  and  pushed  forward  with  the  ut- 
most industry,  directing  my  rout  to  Ouiattannan,  in  the 
best  manner  my  guides  and  information  enabled  me 
though  I  found  myself  greatly  deficient  in  both. 

»*  By  the  31st,  I  had  marched  one  hundred  and  thirty- 
five  miles,  over  a  country  cut  by  four  large  branches  of 
White  River,  and  many  smaller  streams  with  steep  mud. 
dy  banks :  During  this  march,  I  traversed  a  country  al- 
ternately  interspersed  with  the  most  luxurious  soil,  and 
deep  clayey  bogs  from  one  to  five  miles  wide,  rendered 
almost  impervious  by  brush  and  briars.  Rain  fell  in  tor- 
rents every  day,  with  frequent  blasts  of  wind  and  thunder 
storms.  These  obstacles  impeded  my  progress,  wttre 
down  my  horses,  and  destroyed  my  provisions, 

"  On  the  morning  of  the  1st  in»t«ww  «8  the  army  enter- 
cd  an  exteniiive  praire,  I  perceived  an  Man  on  horse- 
back a  few  miles  to  the  right;  I  immediately  made  adfi- 


- »,. 


i 


—134-^ 


tiKrhment  to  intercept  him)  but  he  escaped;  Finding 
myself  discovered,  I  determined  to  advance  with  all  the 
rapidity  my  circumstiHittea  would  permit,  rather  with  the 
hope  than  the  expectation  of  reaching  the  object  sought 
that  day  ;  for  my  guides  were  strangers  to  the  country 
whicht  I  occupied.  At  1  o'clock,  having  marclied  by 
computation  one  hundred  and  fifty-five  miles  from  the 
Ohio,  as  I  penetrated  a  grove  which  bordered  on  an  ex- 
tensive praire,  I  discovered  two  small  villages  to  my  left, 
at  two  and  four  miles  distance* 

*<  My  guides  now  recognised  the  ground  and  informed 
me  that  the  main  town  was  four  or  five  miles  in  frontt 
behind  a  point  of  wood  which  jutted  into  the  praire.  I 
immediately  detached  Col.  John  Hardin,  with  60  moun- 
ted infantry,  and  a  troop  of  light  horse  under  Captain 
!M*CoT,  to  attack  the  villages  to  the  left,  and  moved*  on 
briskly  with  my  main  body  in  order  of  battle  toward  the 
town,  the  smoke  of  which  was  discernable.  My  guides 
were  deceived  with  respect  to  the  situation  of  the  town  ; 
for  instead  of  standing  at  the  edge  of  the  plain  through 
which  I  marched,  I  found  in  the  low  ground  bordering 
on  the  Wabash,  on  turning  the  point  of  woods,  one  house 
presented  in  my  front,  Capt.  Price  was  ordered  to  as- 
sault that  with  forty  men.  He  executed  the  command 
with  great  gallantry,  and  killed  two  warriors. 

«•  When  I  gained  the  summit  of  the  eminence  which 
ovei  looks  the  villages  on  the  banks  of  the  Wabash,  I  dis- 
covered the  enemy  in  great  confusion,  endeavoring  to 
make  their  escape  over  the  river  in  canoes.  I  instantly 
ordered  Lieutenant-Colonel  Commandant  Wilkinsow  to 
rush  forward  with  the  first  battalion  ;  the  order  was  exe- 
cuted with  promptitude,  and  this  detachment  gained  the 
bank  of  the  river  just  as  the  reat\pf  the  enemy  had  em- 
barked :  And  recrardless  of  a  brisk  fire  ksDt  UD  from  a 
Ku;kapoo  town  on  the  oppotite  bank)  they  in  a  few  miOr 


''/ 


—135— 

me.,  bj  a  wtll  direeled  fir.  from  .h.h-  r!fl.„  dclroyed  rf 
.he  «vag«  wh  which  five  canoe,  were  crowded 

The  enemy  still  kept  possession  of  the  ir:,t 
town.  I  determined  to  dislodge  them,  and  L^"^ 
Jose  ordered  captain-.  K.»o-,  Ld  Locsw,  el  '"" 
to  march  down  the  ri,er below  the  town  and""  ■'" 
.*e  conduct  of  Major  B.n.B. :  Se"eJ,  Z""'"' 
.w.m  the  river,  and  other,  passed  in  .  Zm  '.".^^""^ 
This  movement  was  unobserved  an„-  .„.  "■''  Mnoe.— .- 
post  on  the  bank  before  .he;:2;:ic„verrbv  ^h  '""" 
my  who  immediately  abandoned  the  vZ  Ab  nt  'Z. 
..me  word  was  brought  me  that  Col.  H^a^,,  ^,t  * 

bered  with  prisoners,  and  bad  discoveredT.trr''T>' 
lag.  <»rthir  to  my  left,  than  .h„,e  I  hid  ob  e'^dThfcf 
he  wa.  proceeding  to  attack.     I  imraedi.  ejj  ^' .    . 
Cap..  Beowk  with  his  company  to  .7,^  .    !'^       ""'«' 
but  the  distance  being  si 3.'^      .'tn?'""' 
riv«l  .he  business  was  done,  and  Co    «*««„;'    ",  "• 
.....  before  sun,..,  baving  .i„ed  si,  warr"r    /nr.  k^ 
fifty-two  pr,«,Bers.     Captain  Bull,  the  warrior  wklS' 
covered  me  in  the  morning  had  gLj  Z'ZIZ': 
and  g,».n  th.  alarm  a  short  time  before  me  •  bu  "h!  "^ 
lag.,  to  the  left  were  uninformed  of  my  annro^A      t 
had  no  retreat.     The  next  morning  1  "cterSt  h"* 
.ach  my  Lieut.  Col.  Commandant  w^th  fi     Cd  'd  J^ 
to  destroy  .he  important  .own  of  K..hlipec.n„„l    ..  .b"' 
momh  of .h.  E.1  river,  .igh.e.n  mile,  from  ly  ^    '/ 
and  on  .he  west  side  of  Wabash;    Bu.  on  examinatir  ^ 
discovered  my  men  and  horse,  to  b.  crippled  and  wL 
down  by  a  long  laborious  march,  and  th.  active  ex.rS 
«r  he  preceding  day  ;  .ha.  .hree  hundred  and  sL,y  '  " 
.-ly  could  be  found  in  capacity  to  undertake  Z'^^ 
pr..e  and  .h.y  prepared  to  march  on  foot.  ^ 

W  after  five  in  the  evening,  aoa  returned  to  my  tmi^ 


iw 


-Mi 


^136— 

the  next  day  «t  one  o'clock,  haying:  marched  thitty-slit 
miles  in  twelve  hoursi  and  destroyed  the  mo&t  important 
settlement  of  the  enemy  in  that  quarter  of  the  federat 

lerritory. 
«•  The  following  is  Col.  Wilkinsos's  report  respect* 

'  ing  the  enterprise  : —  *        '  ^ 

tt  Sir— The  detachment  under  my  command,  destined 
io  attack  the  village  Kethlipecanunk,  was  put  in  motion 
at  half  after  five  o'clock  last  evening.  Knowing  that  an 
enemy  whose  chief  dependence  is  in  his  dexterity  as  a 

*  marksman,  «nd  alertness  in  covering  himself  behind 
trees,  stumps,  and  other  impediments  to  fair  sight, 
would  not  hazard  an  action  in  the  night,  I  determined  to 
posh  my  march  until  I  approached  the  vicinity  of  the 
villages  where  I  knew  the  country  to  be  champaign.^ 

I  gained  my  point  without  a  halt,  twenty  minutes  before 

II  o'clock  ;  lay  upon  my  arms  until  4  o'clock,  and  half 
an  hour  after  assaulted  the  town  at  all  quarters.  The 
enemy  was  vigilant,  gave  way  on  my  approach,  and  in 
canoes  crossed  Eel  creek,  which  washed  the  northeast 
part  of  the  town. — That  creek  was  not  fordable.  My 
corps  dashed  forward  with  the  impetuosity  becoming 
volunteers,  and  were  saluted  by  the  enemy  with  a  brisk 
fire  from  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek.  Dauntless  they 
rushed  on  to  the  water's  edge,  and  finding  the  river  im- 
passible, retnrned  a  volley,  which  so  galled  and  diacon- 
certed  iheir  antagonists,  that  they  threw  away  their  fire 
without  eflect.  In  five  minutes  the  Indians  were  driven 
from  their  covering,  and  fled  with  precipitation.  I  have 
three  men  slightly  wounded.  At  half  past  five  the  town 
was  in  flames,  and  at  six  o'clock  I  commenced  my  re- 
treat. 

.    ««  I  am>Sir,  }(curs,  &c. 

«  JAMES  WILKINSON. 


—  137— 


_      Many  of  the  inhabitants    of  Klthlipecanimk  were 
Irench,  and  lived  in  a  state  of  civilization  j-misunder- 
standing  the  object  of  a  white  flag,  which  appeared  on 
an  eminence  opposite  to  me  in  the  afternoon  of  the  first, 
I  hberated  an  aged  squaw,  and  sent  with  her  a  message 
to  the  savages,  that  if  they  would  come  in  and  surrender, 
Ihe.r  towns  should  be  spared,  and  they  should  receieve 
good  treatment.     [It  was  afterwards  found  that  this  white 
flag  was  not  intended  as  a  signal  of  parley,  but  was  placed 
there  to  mark  the   spot  where  a  person  of  distinction 
among  the  Indians,  who  had  died  some  time  before,  was 
interred.]     On  the  4th,  I  determined  to  descharge  16  of 
the  weakest  and  most  infirm  of  my  prisoners  with  a  talk 
to  the  Wabash  tribes,  a  copy  of  which  follows.     My  mo- 
tives to  this  measure  were,  to  rid  the  army  of  a  hetvy  in- 
cumbrance, to  gratify  the  impulses  of  humanity,  to  in- 
crease the  panick  my  operations  had  produced,  and  by 
distracting  the  council  of  the  enemy,  to  favor  the   views 
of  government. 

«'On  the  same  day,  after  having  burned  the  towns 
and  adjacent  villages,  and  destroyed  the  growing  corn 
and  pulae,  I  began  my  march  for  the  rapids  of  Ohio, 
where  I  arrived  the  14th,  without  the  loss  of  a  single*, 
man  by  the  enemy,  and  five  only  wounded,  havmg  killed 
thirty.lwo,  chiefly  warriors  of  size  and  figure,  and  taken 
fifty- eight  prisoners.'* 
To  the  various  tribe,  of  the  Peankashaws,  andallthe  nations 

cj  Red  People^  living  on  the  waters  of  the  Wabash  River. 

"  THE  Sovereign  Council  of  the  Thirteen  United 
States,  have  long  patiently  borne  your  i^predations  a- 
gamsl  their  settlemems  on  this  side  bf  thi  great  moun- 
tains,  in  hope  that  you  would  sec  your  error,  and  cor- 
rect it^  by  entering  into  bonds  of  amityand  lasting  neace. 
irloved  by  corapasiion,  and  pityifrg  your  misguided  coun. 
Cil8,Hhey  have  not  unfrequcntly  addressed  you  on  this  sub- 


I 


—  138  — 


jecty  but  without  cflfect.  At  length  their  patience  ii  ex- 
hausted, and  they  have  strcched  forth  the  arnn  of  power 
against  you.  Their  mighty  sons  and  chief  warriors  have 
at  length  taken  up  the  hatchet,  they  have  penetrated  far 
into  your  country,  to  meet  your  warriors,  and  punish  them 
for  their  transgressions.  But  you  fled  before  them  and 
decline  the  battle,  leaving  your  wives  and  children  to  their 
mercy*^  They  have  destroyed  your  old  town,  OuiattanaU} 
and  the  neighboring  villages,  and  have  taken  many  pri- 
soners. Resting  here  two  days,  to  give  you  time  to  col- 
lect your  strength,  they  have  proceeded  tQ  your  town  of 
Kethlipecanunk;  but  you  again  fled  before  them;  and 
that  great  town  has  been  destroyed.  After  giving  yon- 
this  evidence  of  their  power,  they  havs  stopped  their 
hands,  because  they  are  as  merciful  as  strong,  and  the)r 
again  indulge  the  hope,  that  you  will  come  to  a  sense  of 
your  true  interest,  and  determine  to  make  a  lasting  peace 
with  them  and  all  their  children  forever.  The  United 
States  have  no  desire  to  destroy  the  red  people,  ak 
though  they  have  the  power  to  do  it  y  but  should  you  de« 
cline  this  invitation,  and  pursue  your  unprovoked  hostili- 
ties, their  strength  will  again  be  exerted  against  you,  your 
warriors  will  be  slaughtered,  your  wives  and  children 
carried  into  captivity,  and  you  may  be  assured,  that  those 
who  escape  the  fury  of  our  mighty  chiefs,  shall  find  no 
resting  place  on  this  side  the  Great  Lakes.  The  war- 
riors of  the  United  States  wish  not  to  distress  or  destroy 
women  and  children,  or  old  men,  and  although  policy  ob- 
liges them  to  retain  some  iii  captivity,  yet  compassion 
and  humanity  have  induced  them  to  set  others  at  liberty, 
ivho  will  deliver  you  this  talk.  Those  who  are  carried 
t>iF  will  be  left  in  the  care  of  our  great  chief  and  warrior 
Gen.  St.  Clair,  near  the  mouth  of  the  Miami  and  op- 
posite to  the  Licking  Riveri  where  they  will  be  treated 
plih  liumaDity  and  tenderness  ;  if  you  wish  to  recoTQT 

t 


—  139— 

Aera,  repair  to  that  place  by  the  first  day  of  July  next : 
determine  with  true  hearts  to  bury  the  hatchet  and  smoke 
the  pipe  of  peacci  they  will  then  be  restored  to  you,  and 
you  may  again  set  down  in  security  at  yotir  old  townsi 
and  live  in  peace  and  happiness,  unmolested  by  the  peo- 
ple ot  the  United  States,  who  will  become  your  friends 
and  protectors,  and  will  be  ready  to  furnish  you  with  all 
Ihe  necessaries  you  may  require.  But  should  you  fooU 
ishly  persist  in  your  warfare,  the  sons  of  war  will  be  let 
loose  against  you,  and  the  hatchet  vrill  never  be  buried 
until  your  country  is  desolated>  and  your  peopjlie  humbled 
to  the  dust.*' 

(Signed)        CHARLES  SCOTT,  Bri^,  Gen, 

GENERAL  WILKINSON'S  EXPEDITION. 

QENERAL  WILKINSON  to  GOVERNOR  ST,  CLAIR, 

"  S  IBf 

HAVING  carried  into  complete  effect  the  cnler- 
prize  which  you  were  pleased  to  direct  against  L'An- 
fuille,  and  having  done  the  savages  every  other  damage 
on  the  Wabash,  to  which  I  conceived  my  torce  adequaici 
I  embrace  the  first  moment's  recess  from  active  duty  to 
detail  to  your  Excellency  the  operations  of  the  expedi- 
tion intrusted  to  my  conduct. 

I  left  the  neighborhood  of  Fort- Washington  on  the 
first  inst.  at  one  o'clock,  and  agreeable  to  my  original 
plan,  feinted  boldly  at  the  Miami  villages,  by  the  most 
direct  course  the  nature  of  the  ground,  over  which  X 
bad  to  march,  would  permit ;  I  persevered  in  this  pfan 
until  the  morning  of  the  4th  insu  and  thereby  «ivoide(l 

the    hnntinof  n>miinrl    r\F  tU..  ^~..«.«     i   ^U-    . (U^k  ».u:>.l. 

— o  i>«  ^-'■"•■(^s    VI  -.isv.  i.ijcu;jr,   auu  tisc   pa'.us  w:«vss 

kd  ^rcct  from  WUite  River  to  the  p^abash,  leaving  thf 


—  140— 


head  waters  of  the  first  to  my  left  ;  I  then  being  about 
seventy   miles   advanctd   of  Fort    Washington,   turned 
north-west.    I  made  no  discovery  uniil  the  5th,  about  9 
o'clock,  A.  M.  when  I  crossed  three   much  frequented 
paths  within  two  miles  of  each  other,  and  all  bearing 
east  of  north  ;  my  guides  were  urgent  for  me  to  follow 
these  pa"th5,  which  betrayed  their  ignorance  of  the  coun* 
try,  and  convinced  me  I  had  to  depend  on  my  own  judg- 
ment only.  In  the  afternoon  of  that  day,  I  was  obliged 
to  cross  a  deep  bog,  which  injured  several  of  my  horses 
exceedingly,  and  a  few  miles  beyond   I  struck  a  path 
bearing  north  by  west,  marked  by  the  recent  footsteps  of 
five  or  six  savages.    My  guides  renewed  their  applica» 
lion  to  me  to  follow  this  path,  but  I  pursued  my  own 
course.    I  had  not  got  clear  of  my  encampment,  next 
morning,  before  my  advance  reported  an  impassable  bog, 
in  my  front,  extending  several  miles  on  either  hand,  and 
the  guides  asserted  that  the  whole  country  to  the  Wsu 
bash  was  cut  by  such  bogs,  and  that  it  would  be  impos- 
fiible  lor  me  to  proceed  unless  I  followed  the  Indian  paths, 
which  avoided  these  bogs,  or  led  through  them  at  places 
where  they  were    least  difficult.     Although  I  paid  little 
regard  to  this  information,  as  delay  was  dangerous,  and 
^very  thing  depended  on  the  preservation  of  my  horses, 
I  determined  to  return  to  the  right,  and  fall  into  the  path 
I  had  passed  the  evening  before,  which   varied  in    its 
course  from  Nby,^V.  to  N.  E.     The  country  had  now 
become  pondy,  in  every  direction,  I  therefore  resolved 
lo  pmsue  this  path  until  noon,  in  the  hope  that  it  woufd 
conduct  mc  to  belter  ground,  or  to  some  devious  trace 
which  might  lead  to  the  object  sought. 

At  7  o'clock  I  crossed  an  east  branch  of  ualumut  riv- 
er, about  40  yards  wide,  and  about  noon  mjlJNdvance 
guard  fired  on  a  Sfnall  party  of  warriors  and  took  a  pris. 
9UCI',  ih'j  rest  run  of  to  the  eastward.    J  halted  about  ft 


t,X, 


mile  beyond  thf  spot  where  this  aflfair  happened,  and  on 
examining  the  prisoner  found  him  to  be  a  Delaware,  U» 
ing  near  the  scite  of  the  late   Miami  village,  which  ik 
informed  was  about  thirty  miles  distant  j  I   immediately 
retrogaded  four  miles,  and  filed  off  by  the   right   orer 
•ome  rising  ground,  which   I    had  observed  between  the 
east  branch  of  ihe  Calumut  river  and  a  creek  four  or  five 
miles  advance  of  it,  taking  my  course  N.  60   W.     Thi« 
measure   fortunately  extricated  me  from  the  bogn  and 
ponds,  and  soon  placed  me  on  a  firm  ground  ;  late  in  the 
Bftcrnoon  I  crossed  one  path  running  from  N.  to  S.   and 
Bhortly  after  fell  in  with  another  varying  from  N.  VV.  tu 
N.  I  pursued  this  about  two  miles,  when  I  encamped— 
but  finding  it  still  inclining  northward,  I  determined  to 
abandon  it  in  the  morning.    I  resumed  my   march  on 
the  6th  at  4  o'clock,  the  Calumut  being  to  the  westward 
of  me  I  was  fearful  I  should  strike  the  Wabash  too  high 
up,  and  perhaps  fall  in  with  the  small  town,  which  you 
meirtioned  to  me  at  the  mouth   ot  the  former  river.    I 
the  -efore  steered  a  due  west  course,  and  at  6  o'clock  A. 
M.  crossed  a  road  much  used  both  by  horse  and  foot* 
bearing  due  north;    I  now  knew  that  I  was  near  a  ShaW- 
anese  village,  generally  supposed  to  be  on  the  waters  df 
White  river,  but  actually  on  the  waters  of  the  Calumut, 
and  was  sensible  that  every  thing  depended  on  the  ce- 
lerity and  silence  of  my  movements,  as  my  real  object 
had  become  manifest,  I  therefore  pushed  my  march  vig-' 
orously,   leaving  an  officer  and  20  men   in  ambush  iq 
watch  the  road,  in  order  to  intercept  or  beat  off  any  par- 
ty of  the  enemy  which  might  casually  be  passing  that 
.way,  and  thereby  prevent  as  long  as  possible  the  discov- 
cry  of  my  real  intentions. 
At  8  o'clock  I  crossed  Calumut  river,  now  S^t  yards 

wide,  and  rimnino- #lni>»>  m    xt    ««r       »  r.  .. . 

'  o  'i'-T.:i  i-!j  A-v.  VV.     1  was  ROW    bensioic 

Irom  my  reckoning  wmpared  with  my  own  observations, 


.»■ 


—  U2^ 

during  the  late  expedition  under  Gen.  Scott,  and  tht 
information  received  from   your  Excellency  and  others, 
that  I  could  not  be  very  far  from  L'Anguille.     The  par. 
ty  left  at  the  road,  soon  fell  in  with   four  warriors  en- 
camped half  a  mile  from  the  right  of  my  line  of  march, 
killed  one  and  drove  off  the  others    to   the  northward. 
My  situation  had  now   become   extremely  critical,  the 
whole  country  to  the  north  being  in  alarm,  which  made 
ine. greatly  anxious  to  continue    my   march   during  the 
night,  but  1  had  no  path  to  direct  me,  and  i*  was  impos- 
sible for  me  to  keep  my  course,  or  for  horsemen  to  march 
through  a  thick  swampy   country  in  utter  darkness.    I 
quitted  my  camp  on  the  7th,  as  soon  as  I   could  see   my* 
way,  crossed  one  path  at  three  miles  distance,  bearing 
N.  E.  and  at  seven  miles  fell  into   another   very  much 
used,  bearing  N.  W.  by  N.  which  I  at  once  adopted,  as 
the  direct  route  of  my  object,  and  pushed  forward  with 
the  utmost  despatch.     I   halted  at  12  o'clock  to  refresh 
the  horses,  and  examine  the   men's  arms  and  ammuni- 
tion ;  marched  again  at  half  after  one,  and  at  15  min- 
utes before  five  I  struck  the   Wabash,  at   one  and  an 
half  leagues  above  the  mouth   of  Eel  river,  being  the 
very  "jpot  for  which  I   had  aimed  from   the  commence- 
ment of  my  march.     I  crossed  the   river  and   following 
the  path  at  N.  by  E.  course,  at  the  distance  of  two  and 
»n  half  miles,  my  reconnoitreing    party   announced  Eel 
river  in  front,  and  the  town  on   the  opposite   bank.     I 
dit>mounted,  ran  forward,  and  examined  the  situation  of 
the  town  as  far  as  was  practicable  without  exposing  my- 
self, but  the  whole  face  of  the  country  from  the   Wabash 
to  the  margin  of  Eel  river,  being  a  continued  thicket  of 
brambles,   black   jacks,  weeds   and  shrubs,  of  various 
jkinds,  it  was  impossible  for  me  to  get  a  satisfactory  view 
without  endangering  a  discovery.    I  immediately  deter- 
pjined  to  post  two  companies  near  the  bank  of  the  river 


—  143— 

opposite  to  Ihc  town,  and  above  the  ground  I  then  occ* 
pied  to  niftke  a  detour  with  Major  Caldwell,  and  the 
second  battalion,  until  I  fell  into  the  Miami  trace,  and 
by  that  route  to  cross  the  river  above,  and  gain  the  rear 
of  the  tou  1,  and  to  leave  directions  with  Maj.  M'Dowell, 
who  commanded  the  first  battalion,  to  lie  perdue  until  I 
commenced  the  attack,  then  to  dash  through  the  river 
with  his  corps  and  the  advanced  guard,  and  as&ault  th« 
houses  in  front  and  upon  the  left. 

In  the  moment  I  was  about  to  put  this  arrangement  in- 
to execution,  word  was  brought  me  that  the  enemy  had 
taken  the  alarm  and  were  flying— I    instantly  ordered  a 
general  charge,  which  was  obeyed  with  alacrity,  the  men 
forcing  their  way  ^.ver  every  obstacle,  plunged  through 
the  river  with  vast  intrepidity— The  enemy  was  unable 
to  make  the  smallest  resistance — Six  warriors  and  (in 
the  hurry  and  confusion  of  the  charge)  two  squaws  and 
a  child  were  kllled-thiriyfour  prisoners  were  taken,  and 
an  unfortunate   captive   released— with  the  loss   of  tw« 
men  killed,  and. one  wounded— I  found  this  town  scatter- 
ed along  Eel  river  for  full  three   miles,  on  an  uneven 
shrubby  oak  barren,    intersected  alternately  by  bogs  al- 
most impassable,  and  impervious  thickets  of  plumb  and 
hazle.— Notwithstanding  these  difficulties,  if  I  may  credit 
the  report  of  the  prisoners,  very  few  who  were   in   town 
escaped  ;  expecting  a  second  expedition,  their  goods  wer^ 
generally  packed  up  or  buried— Sixty  warriors  had  cros^ 
sed  the  Wabash  to  watch   the  paths  leading  from  the 
Ohio  ;  the  head  chief  wilh  all  the  prisoners  and  a  num- 
ber  of  families  were  out,  digging  a  root,  which  they  sub- 
stitute  in  the  place  of  the  potatoe,  and  about  one  hour 
before  my  arrival,    all  the    warriors,  except  eight,  had 
mounted  their  horses  and  rode  up  tha  river  to  a  French 
•tore  to  Durchaxt*   amfMnn!«;n«  _  ti.:-  -.«. !.r  _   •     . 

5    -  -„.,..,,,,..._,..,         ansa    aiiiiiiiiunHiti    Wiii 

arrived  from  the  Miami  village  that  fcr^^,  and  tbo 


'«!,, 


* 


—  144^ 


hr 


squaws  informed  me  was  stored  about  two  miles  frorti 
town.  I  detached  Major  Calbwsll  in  quest  of  it,  but 
he  failtd  to  make  any  discovery,  although  he  scoured  th« 
country  for  seven  or  eight  miles  up  the  river.  I  encamp- 
ed in  the  town  that  night,  and  the  next  morning  I  cut  up 
Ihe  corn  scarcely  in  the  milk,  burnt  the  cabins,  mounted 
my  young  warriors,  squaws  and  chidren  in  the  best  man- 
ner in  my  power,  and  leaving  two  infirm  squaws  and  a 
child  with  a  short  talk  (which  will  be  found  annexed)  I 
commenced  my  march  for  the  Kickapoo  town  in  the 
praire.— -I  felt  my  prisoners  a  vast  incumbrance,  but  I 
was  not  in  force  to  justify  a  detachment,  having  barely 
523  rank  and  file,  and  bting  then  in  the  bosom  of  the 
Ouiattanou  country,  one  hundred  and  eighty  miles  re- 
moved from  succour,  and  not  more  than  one  and  a  half 
clays  forced  march  from  the  Pattawamees,  Shawanese 
and  Delawares; 

Not  being  able  to  discover  any  path  in  the  direct  course 
to  the  Kickapoo  town,  I  marched  by  the  road  leading  to 
Tippecanoe,  in  the  hope  of  finding  some  diverging  trace 
which  might  favor  ray  design— I  encamped  that  even- 
ing about  six  miles  from  Kenapacomaque,  the  Indian 
name  for  the  town  I  had  destroyed,  and   marched  next 

morning  at  four  o'clock.— My  course  continued  west  till 
about  nine  o'tslock,  when  I  turned  to  the  north  west  oh  a 
jMViiil  hunting  path,  and  at  a  short  distance  I  launched 
Into  the  boundless  praries  of  the  west,  with  the  inten- 
tion to  pursue  that  course,  until  I  bhould  strike  a  road 
which  leads- from  the  Pattawamees  of  Lake  Michigan, 
immediately  to  the  town  I  sought.  With  this  view  I 
pushed  forward,  through  bog  after  bog,  to  the  saddle 
skirts  in  mud  and  water,  and  after  persevering  for  eight 
hours,  I  found  myself  environed  oh  ail  sides  with  mo- 
rasscs  which  forbade  my  advancing,  and  a^  the  same 
;5lmc  rendeicc     difficult  for  me  to  extricate ^my  little' ar* 


T     p'W'  - 


fey.  Thewiy  br  which  we  h.d  tntered  w»  »  mgeii 
be.,  .nd  .oftened  bj-  ,he  hor.e.,  ih.t  it  w..  ,lmo.,  im- 
po..,ble  .0  return  by  ,h.,  route,  .nd  my  guide,  pronoun, 
ted  the  n.or«,  ,n  front  imp.„.bIe._A  ch.in  of  thin 
grore.  extending  in  the  direction  to  the  W.b.,h.  «  .hi. 
time  pre.en..d  .o  my  left,  i.  w.,  neceu.ry  I  .hould  g.in 

forw.rd,  .nd  leading  my  hor.e  .hrough  a  bog  to  .be  .rm- 
pit.  .n  inud  .nd  w.ter,  with  difficulty  .nd  f.tigne  I  .c 
comphshed  my  object,  .nd  changed  my  cour«  to  S.  by 
W.  I  reg.ined  the  Tippec.noe  ro.d  ..  5  o'clock,  «,d 
«nc.n,ped  on  it.,  7  o'clock,  .ftef  .m.rch  of  thirty  mile., 
which  broke  down  leTeral  of  my  horses. 

I  .m  the  more  minute  in  dc.iling  the  occurrence,  of 
thi.  d.y  tecuse  they  produced  the  most  unf.,or.6to 
effect;    I  «..  m  motion  ...fouf  neit  morning,  ,n.l  ,t 

lh^A°  ^  r'^"""''  6»«rd  made  some  dLoverie,, 
rhich  mduced  me  .o  believe  we  „«„   ,„,  .„  I„di.„  ,1,.' , 

iTf  n  ""™f '«''  yP"'""!  ■-'  body  forward  in  .  trot, 
.nd  followed  whh  M.jor  C,tnw.„,  .nd  the  Snd  b.^ 
t.hon,  leaving  M.jor  M'Dow.w  to  t.ke  ihar..  of  (h6 
P  ..oner,.    lre.ched  T.ppecnoe  «   .2  o'ch^k,  whch 

t.on.  „d  abandoned  the  place  that  morning.  After  ,e 
dcrucon  of  .hi.  town  in  J„„e  ,..,,  .h,  J^  ^^  ^^ 

1.  Anguille.    Torefre.h  my  horses  and  give  time  to  cut 

W^d'tb"'"'  '  '""•"'"«' '"  "'"  ■"""  "■«  ""«  »«  n- 
ng,  .nd  then  resume  my  niarch  ,„  .he  Kickapoo  towi, 

^.o.h.71'ce'f  r  """'  ■"'"«'"'  0^'«'«- 
on  ,0  that  place.    In  .he  course  of  the  day  I  had  dl«l. 

"er^hichTf^T"™^'  •""  "■•— '  —ng  ti: 

"len,  which  I  found  on  ennnir^  *^ -__j   n   _      .   . 

WlucUDce  to  a^v«,ce  ,n,o  the  enemy'..«»,try  ;  thi. 


li 


''■■\ 


m 


-^1^— ' 


iiidiited  tne  ttt  cAtt  l&i^  a  litate  of  the  h6t%it9  bttx!  pro'vi. 
aions,  whentohiy  great  mortification  S70  horsea  werr 
returned  lame  and  tiled)  with  barely  five  dajr^  provision 
for  the  men. 

Under  these  circinnstances  I  was  compelled  td  aban«^ 
don  my  detigns  upon  the  Kickapoos  of  the  prairie,  and' 
Vfiih  a  degree  of  anguish  not  to  be  comprehended  but' 
by  those  who  have  experienced  similar  disappointments  $* 
I  marched  forward  to  a  town  of  ihe  same  nation,  situate 
about  three  leagues  west  of  Ouitiaiion->a8  1  advanced 
to  the  town,  the  enemy  made  some  shew  of  fighting 
tne^  but  vanished   at  my  approach.     I  destroyed   thit^ 
town,  consisting  of  thirty  houses,  with   a  'considerable 
qtiantity  of  corn  in  the  miik,  and  the  same  day  I  mov- 
ed on  ID  Ouiattanon,  where  I  forded  the  Wabash,  and 
ph>ceeded  to  the  &ite  of  the  villages  on  the  margin  of 
the  prairie  where  I  encamped  ai  s«:ven  o*^clbck.    At  thi« 
town  and  the  village  destroyed  by  Gen.  Scott  in  June^ 
we  found  the  corn  had  been  re-planted,  and  was  now  ir^ 
high  cultivation,  several  fields  beifig  well  ploughed,  ^If 
irhich  we  destroyed.    Oh  the  121b,  I  resumed  my  marchy 
and  falling  into  Gen.  Scott's  return  trace,  I  arrived 
withoat  material  accident  at  the  rapids  oi  the  Ohio,  oiv 
the  3 1st  inst.  after  a  march,  by  accurate,  computation,  ol 
|51  miles  fipom  Fort  Washington. 
^  The  services  which  I  have  been  able  to  render  fait 
sikortofmy  wiiihes,  my  intention  and  Expectation— but* 
Siri  when  you  reflect  on  the  causes  which  checked  mr 
career,  and  blasted  my  designs,  I  flatter  myself  f^u  #lf 
i>erteve  every  thing  has  been  doue  which  could  be  donetht 
toy  circumstances ;  I  have  destroyed  the  chief  town  of 
the  Ouiattanon  nation,  and  made  prisoners  the  sons  and 
sitters  of  the  king  ;  I  have  burnt  a  respectable  Kickapoo 
fliMgCf  SiiCL  Cut  down  iit  iCSat  4au  acres  Oi    COfTi,  Qinsyj 

kk  the  miilb    The  Ouiattanons  left  Ivithovt  borsesj  wlil 


-ur— 

.or  pravisioni  imi&t  (tase  to  war,  and  will  Bnd  active 
^mplqy  to  subsist  their  i^uaws  and  children  during  the 
impending  winter. 

Should  these  services  secure  to  the  country  which  I 
immediately  represented,  and  the  corps  which  I  had  the 
iionor  to  command,  the  favorable  consideration  of  govern- 
ment*  I  shall  infer  the  approbation  of  my  own  conduct, 
fvbich,  added  to  a  consciousness  of  having  done  my  duty, 
will  constitute  the  richest  reward  I  can  eiyoy. 

With  the  most  perfect  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
jrour  Excellency's  obedient  and  most  humble  iwrvant. 

JAMES  WIX^KINSON. 

Gov*  St.  Clair* 


4  Talk  from  Col,  Wn^KissoSi  to  the  Indian  Natipt$imng  § 
on  the  river  Wabaeh, 

«  THE  arms  of  the  United  States  are  again  ex- 
f||»d  against  you,  and  again  your  towns  are  in  flametp 
^nd  your  wives  and  children  made  captives-^again  yoa 
Hre  cautioned  to  listen  to  the  voice  of  reason,  to  sue  for 
|)eace,  and  subniJi  to  the  protection  of  the  United  States* 
ivho  are  willing  to  become  your  friends  and  fathers  ;  bnt, 
%i  the  same  time,  are  determined  (o  punish  you  for  every 
injury  you  may  offer  to  their  children.  Regard  not 
those  evil  coi^ncellors,  who,  to  becure  to  themselves  lh« 
benefits  of  your  trade,  advise  you  to  measures  which  in- 
volve you,  your  women  and  childijn,  in  trouble  and  dis- 
tress. The  United  States  wish  to  give  you  peace  ;  bje- 
cause  it  is  good  in  the  eyes  of  the  Great  Spirit,  that  a}l 
his  children  should  unite  and  live  like  brothers  *^ii^t,  if 
jrou  fooliithly  prefer  war,  their  warriors  are  ready  t^t^iMt 

Vnil  in  Kuttlf.   anri    will   nn»   K«     .1.^     C~-«.      »_     I .1— .^J^     ^i.V  . 

J^tqlieu    You  may  find  ygur  s^uawi  ^nd  you^  childxcjfe''l'? 


;.♦* 


# 


Mnder  the  protection  of  our  great  chief  and  warrior 
General  St.  Clair,  at  Fort  Washington ;  to  him  yow 
will  make  all  applications,  for  an  exchange  of  prisoners^ 
•  or  for  peace. 

JAMES  WILKINSON?" 
CHAP.  X. 

defi:at  of  general  st.  clair, 

^r  ^BB  INDIANS,  1791. 
Gbn.  St.  CLAIR  to  the  SECRETARY  or  WAR, 

"  Fort  Washinstott,  Nov:  9,  1791. 

«  YESTERDAY  afternoon  !the  remains  of  the 
army  under  my  command  got  back  to  this  place,  and  I 
have  now  the  painful  task  to  give  an  account  of  a  warm, 
and  as  unfortunate  an  action  as  almost  any  that  has  beeo 
fought}  in  which  every  corps  was  engaged  and  worsted, 
except  the  first  regiment,  that  had  been  detached  upon  a 
service  I  had  the  honor  to  inform  you  of  in  my  last  des- 
patch) and  had  not  joined  me. 

On  the  3d  inst.  the  army  had  reached  a  creek  about , 
twelve  yards  wide  running  to  the  southward  of  west, 
which  I  believe  to  have  been  the  river  St.  Mary,  that 
empties  into  the  Miami  of  the  lake,  arrived  at  the  village 
about  4  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  having  marched  near  9 
iniles,  and  were  immediately  encamped  upon  a  very  com-' 
inanding  piece  of  ground  in  two  lines,  having  the  abo^e 
mentioned  creek  in  front,  the  right  wing  composed  of 
BuTiKR's,CLARKE's,  and  Patterson's  battalions,  com- 
manded by  Maior. General  Butl'r-  formed  the  first  fin** 
|pd  the  left  wing  consisting  of  Bxoinger's  and  GAXf 


|., 


•».i 

'*-•.,».,'>; 


Iflf 


Tai»»s  battalions,  ftnd  the  second  regiment  commanded 
by  Gol.  Drake,  formed  the  second  line,  with  an  interval 
between  them  of  about  seventy  yards,  which  was  all  the 
ground  would  allow. 

The  right  flank  was  pretty  well  secured  by  the  creek  a 
•teep  bank,  and  Faulkkner's  corps,  some  of  the  cavahy 
and  their  piquets  covered  the  left  flank ;  the  militia  were 
thrown  over  the  creek  and  advanced  about  one  quarter  of 
a  mile,  and  encamped  in  the  same  order  ;  there  were  a 
few  Indians  who  appeared  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
creek,  but,  fled  with  the  utmost  precipitation  on  the  ad- 
▼ancc  of  the  militia  ;  at  this  place,  which  I  judged  to  be 
about  15  mile  ^  a  the  Miami  village,  I  had  determined 
to  throw  up  L  s.,i,at  work,  the  plan  of  which  was  con- 
certed that  evening  with  Maj.  Fercusok,  wherein  to 
^lave  deposited  the  men's  knapsacks,  and  everything  else 
that  was  not  of  absolute  necessity,  and  to  have  moved  oil 
to  attack  the  enemy  as  soon  as  the  first  regiment  was 
come  up,  but  they  did  not  permit  me  to  execute  eithei^^ 
for  OR  the  4th,  about  half  an  hour  before  sun-rise,  and 
wbcn  the  men  had  been  just  dismissed  from  the  parade, 
(for  it  was  a  constant  practice  for  to  have  ihem  all  under 
arms  a  considerable  time  before  light,)  an  attack  wife* 
made  upon  the  militia;  those  gave  way  in  a  very  f^^ 
tin^e,  and  rushed  into  camp,  through  Maj.  Butlrr»s  bat. 
talion,  which,  together  with  part  of  Clark's  they  threw 
into  considerable  disorder,  and  which  notwithstanding 
the  exertions  of  both  these  officers,  was  never  altogether 
remedied,  the  Indians  followed  close  at  their  heels;  the 
fire  however  of  the  front  line  checked  them,  but  almost 
instantaneously  a  very  heavy  attack  began  upoiic that  line, 
and  m  a  few  minutes  it  was  extended  to  the  Sifel  like* 
wise  ;  the  great  weight  of  it  was  directed  ^nsVOib 
cciiife  of  each,  where  the  artillery  was  plac6#wid  ttotm 
f  hich  the  rneti  were  repeatedly  driven  with  ^at 


■■'V... 


— I50-- 


ttr ;  finding  no  great  eflect  from  the  fire,  ftn4  oonfuVioi) 
beginning  to  :)pread  from  ihe  great  number  of  men  wh^ 
were  fallen  in  all  quarters,  it  became  necessary  to  trjf 
what  could  be  done  by  the  bayonet. 

Lieut.  Col.  Dabkk,  was  accordingly  ordered  to  nuike 
a  charge,  with  a  part  of  the  second  line,  and  to  turn  the 
left  flank  of  the  enemy.  This  was  executed  with  great 
bpirit.  The  Indians  '.Piitantly  gave  way,  and  were  driven 
back  three  or  four  hundred  yards :  but  for  want  of  a  8uf> 
ficient  number  of  riflemen  to  pursue  this  advantage,  they 
foon  returned  and  the  troops  were  obliged  to  give  back  in 
their  turn.  At  this  moment  they  had  entered  our  camp 
by  the  left  flank,  having  pursued  back  the  troops  tha|: 
Were  posted  there. 

Another  charge  was  made  here  by  the  second  reglf 
ment,'  BufimSV  and  Clabk's  battalions,  with  equal 
effect,  and  it  was  repeated  several  times,  and  always  with 
•uccess— 4}ut  in  all  of  them  many  men  were  lost,  and 
particularly  the  ofificers,  which,  with  some  raw  troopst 
was  a  loss  iKftogether  irremediable.  In  that  I  just  spoke 
of  niBide  by  the  second  regiment  and  Butler's  battalioi), 
Ma},  Butler  wus  dangerously  wounded,  and  every  of&« 
cer  of  the  second  regiment  fell  except  three,  one  of  \^hich, 
Capt.  Greatom,  was  shot  throtigh  the  body. 

Our  artillery  being  now  silenced,  and  all  the  officers 
killed,  except  Capt.  Ford,  who  was  badly  wounded,  more 
than  half  of  the  army  fallen,  being  cut  off  from  the  road, 
it  became  necessary  to  attempt  the  regaining  it,  and  to 
make  a  retreat  if  possible.  To  this  purpose  the  remains 
ofthe  army  was  formed  as  well  as  circumstances  would 
admit,  towards  the  right  of  the  encampment  ;  from 
which,  by  the  way  ofthe  second  line,  another  charge  was 
made  upon  the  enemy,  as  if  with  the  design  to  turn  their 
right  flank— >but  in  fact  to  cflin  the  road*!  thU  was  effect- 
c4  I  and  im  soon  as  it  wa:t  open,  the  militia  took  along  i$§ 


—151— 


Allowed  by  tb(i  troopa-*Major  Clahk  with  hit  ballalioit' 
eDvtring  the  rear. 

The  retreat  in  those  circumstances,  was,  you  rtay  be 
sure  a  precipitate  one— it  was  in  fact  a  flight.  The  camp 
and  the  artillery  were  abandonedi  but  that  was  unavoida- 
ble, for  not  a  horse  was  left  alive  to  have  drawn  it  off  ha<i 
it  otherwise  been  practicable.  But  the  most  disgraceful" 
part  of  the  business  is,  that  the  greatest  part  of  the  men 
threw  away  their  arms  and  accoutrements,  even  after  the 
pursuit  (which  cobtmued  about  four  miles)  had  qbased. 

I  found  the  road  strewed  with  them  for  many  roiltfs, 
but  was  not  able  to  remedy  it  ;  for  having  had  all  my 
boraes  killed,  and  being  mounted  upon  one  that  could 
rtot  be  pricked  out  of  a  walk,  I  could  not  get  forward 
rayself,  and  the  orders  I  sent  forward,  either  to  halt  thtt 
front,  or  prevent  the  men  from  parting  with  their  armi^ 
urere  unattended  to. 

The  route  continued  quite  to  Fort  Jefferson,  twenty- 
rtinfe  miles,  which  was  reached  a  little  aftar  sun- settings 
The  action  began  about  half  an  hour  before  sun  rise,  and 
the  retreat  was  attempted  at  half  an  hoar  after  nia« 
d*clock. 

Ihme  Ml  yet  been  ablte  to  get  returns  of  the  killed 
awd  Wounded  J  but  Major  General  Butleh,  Lieut.  Col. 
Oldham,  of  the  militia,  Major  Ferguson,  Major  Haht» 
aad  Major  CiARK,'are  among  the  former; 

I  have  now,  Sh,  finished  my  melancholy  tale— a  tale 
that  will  be  felt,  senjbly  ftlt  by  every  one  thai  has  sym- 
pathy for  private  diSess,  or  for  public  misfoftune.  I 
have  nothing,  Sir,  to  aay  to  the  charge  of  the  troops  but 
their  want  of  discipline,  which,  from  the  short  time  tijey 
had  bfecn  in  service,  it  was  impossible  they  should  have 
acquired,  and  which  rendered  it  very  difficult,  when  they 
^^"e  Ihrowii  iruo  confusion,  to  reduce  them  again  to  or* 
*i«r,  and  is  one  reason  why  the  losa  %at  fallen  so  heavy 


1^*. 
w 


— tf^du. 


if. 


p. 


«p6n  the  officers,  who  did  every  thing  in  their  pow^r  iS 
effect  it.— Neither  were  my  own  exertions  wanting,  but 
i»irorn  down  with  illness,  and  suffering  under  a  painful 
disease,  unable  either  to  mount  or  dismount  a  horsef 
without  assistance,  they  were  not  so  great  as  they  other- 
wise would,  or  perhaps  ought  to  hafe  been; 
^  We  were  overponi^ered  by  numbers  ;  but  it  is  no  more 
than  justice  to  observe,  that  thoug;h  composed  of  so  ma- 
ny different  species  of  troops,  the  utmost  harmony  pre- 
vailed t^irough  th^  whole  army  during  the  campaign. 

At  Fort  Jefferson  I  found  the  first  regiment,  which 
hSid  returned  frdm  the  service  they  had  been  sent  upon/ 
without  either  overtaking  the  deserters,  or  meeting  the 
convoy  of  provisions.  I  am  not  certain,  Sir,  whether  I 
ought  to  consider  the  absence  of  this  regiment  from  the 
field  of  action  as  fortunate  or  otherwise.  I  inclilie  to 
think  it  was  fortunate  ;  for  I  very  much  doubt,  whether^ 
had  it  been  in  the  action,  the  fortune  of  the  day  had  been 
ttirned,  and  if  it  had  not,  the  triumph  of  the  enem/ 
ilrould  have  been  more  complete,  and  the  country  would 
have  been  d^itute  of  every  means  of  defence. 

Taking  a  view  of  the  situation  of  our  broken  troops  at 
Fort  Jefferson,  and  that  there  was  no  provtawnrtr-^Jjhii 
fort,  I  called  on  the  field  officers  for  theig^ 


would  be  propeil>  further  to  be  done;  and  (twas- 
•unanimous  opinion,  that  the  addition  of  the  first  regi- 
lA'ent  unbroken  as  it  was,  did  not  put  the  army  on  so  re- 
spectable a  footing  as  it  was  in  the  morning,  because.A^ 
great  part  of  it  was  now  unarmeJIthat  it  had  been 
found  unequal  to  the  enemy,  and  should  t||ey  come  oni> 
which  was  probable,  would  be  found  so  jigain ;  that  the 
troo^  could  not  be  thrown  into  the  fort,  both  because  ir 
wae  too  small,  and  that  there  was  no  provision  in  itw 
'  That  provisions  were  knows  to  be  upon  the  road  at  tHe 
^tetan^e  of  ene  or  at  most  two  marches;  that  there** 


s'v: 


^  fdreWWrtd  be  proper  to  move  without  loss  of  time  td 
meet  the  provisions,  when  the  men  might  have  the  soon- 
er  an  opportunity  of  some  refreshment,  and  that  a  prop- 
er  detachment  might  be  sent  back  with  it,  to  have  It 
safelf  deposited  in  the  fort. 

This  advice  vias  accepted,  and  the  t^Hny  was  put  in 
motion  again  at  ten  o'clock,  and  marched  air  night,  and 
the  succeeding  day  met  with  a  quantity  of  flour,  part  of 
it  was  distributed  immediately,  part  taken  back  to  sup- 
ply the  army  on  the  march  to  I-  ori-Hamilton,  and  the 
remainder,  about  fifty  horse  loads  sent  forward  to  Fort 
Jeflerson* 

• 

I  have  said  Sir,  in  the  former  part  of  my  comraunica- 
ton,  that  we  were  overpowered  by  numbers;  of  that 
however,  I  have  no  other  evidence,  but  the  weight  of  the 
fire  wllKJh  was  always  a  roost  deadly  one  and  generally 
delivered  from  the  ground,  few  of  the  enemy  shewing 
themselves  on  fool,  except  when  they  were  charged  and 
tjjat  in  a  few  minutes  our  whole  camp  which  exfended  n- 
bftve  350  yards  in  length,  was  entirely  su^ounded  and 
attacked  on  all  quarters. 

Theloss,  Sir,  the  public:  has  sustained  by  the  fall  of 
^^mm^dm^^Sj  particularly  General  Bt/TLKH,  andiHa- 
Jor  FERj|umppJ  cannot  be  too  much  regretted;  but  it  {« 

•-"  ^i'H^^'i""  '^'* ''"'  ^"'*'*^^  '*»«  misfortune  in  some 
t^eisy«f  tlkf^ay  of  themfell  most  gallantly  doing   ifi|r 

6lty.    I  have  ^^^hm0%b.,  Sir^  your  most  obedieni 

""LT'    c        #     ^^UTtiBft  ST.  CLAIR.- 
**  Hon.  Seeretm  o/J0.» 

J^/fi^^'''  ^'-  ^^^'"  ^^okVlace  ;il.  .J. 
mites  of  the^Miamr  village.    The  lo«  an  .hi*  -c-sib^ 

^WM  about^  hun^d  killed  and  wquilded  (said  to  bp 

p«rry  eq^  to  BRADDocK's^cRlli  with  seven  pieces  «| 


«*,.•?,. 


"*,■. 


Mi: 


il      . 


—  154— 

aililleryt  and  all  the  stores.  Gen.  St.  Clair  had  about 
1200  men,  had  reason  to  expect  an  attack  and  kept  his 
men  under  arms  all  night,  drawn  up  in  a  square.  The 
attack  commenced  about  dawn  of  davi  on  all  the  lineSr 
, but  principally  on  the  rear  lines,  which  was  composed 
of  the  militia.  The  Indians  gave  one  fire  and  rushed 
on  tomahawk  in  hand.  The  militia^  g^ave  way  to  the 
centre ;  and  before  the  artillery  could  be  brought  into 
action,  the  matroases  were  all  killed  and  it  fell  into  the 
hands  of  the  enemy.  *  r^t 

It  was  retaken  but  was  useless  for  want  of  men  t» 
manage  the  pieces;  The  action  was  continued  obstinate- 
ly until  9  o'clock,  when  the  troops  gave  way.  St.  Ci-air 
rallied  his  men,  and  brought  them  off  in  tolerable  order^ 
with  most  of  the  wounded  to  Fort  JefTerson,  .30  miles  in 
the  rear  of  the  action.    The  enemy  pursued  five  miles,. 

Thefollowins  h  a  copy  of  a  return  of  the  officers  killed  and 
wounded  in  the  engagement  :-^'  .  • 

KiLLE]}.— 1  Majov-Generaly  1  Lieut.  Colonel,  4  Ma- 
jors, 1 1  Captains,  10  Lieutenants,  9  Ensigns,  1  Surge- 
on.— Total  37..  ;£^ 

WouKSKo.— 3  Lieut.  Q|pii$rs,  1  Major,  1 1  Captains^ 
i-Lieutenants,  6  Ensigns,  ^p^on.-p|otal  27j 

Besides  the  above,  there  was  Mout  sirO  priv|ps 
and  ipny  more  wounded— ^|pflj|^s  t>f  distinction 
caped  except  Gen.  St.  ClM,  w|l^d  many  narrow 
escapes,  eight  balls  Pm4|^  .P^ph  ^H  clothes.  The 
attack  was  conducted  with  aatoniPw  inwspidity  on  the 
part  of  the  Indians^in  a  £bw  «bibment%be  Generarti 
tent  was  surrounded  :  however,  he  wasmescued  by  a 
party  of  regular  soldiery  who  repealed  tw  enemy  with 


■fivcwl  havnne^a.      There  waft  »    nartvi  of   tl 


Chickasaw 


;i|ition  on  their  mvt  ^J^  GeirliBT.  Ci«p>  but  M 


■*r#'" 


^%' 


1^ 


•^155^ 

not  wrfve  In  seaion— there  wa«  but  one  fellow  only  of 
<hat  nation  in  the  action,  who  killed  and  scalped  eleven 
of  the  enemy  with  his  own  hands,  and  engaging  wirti 
the  twelfth,  he  fell,  greatly  lamented  by  the  Ameri- 
■cans.  • 

Major*General  Butler  was  wounded  and  carried  to  a 
covenient  place  to  h»ve  his  wounds  dretsed,  but  an  In^ 
dfan  having  discovered  the  place  to  which  he  was  c'on- 
feyed,  broke  through  the  troops  who  attended  him,  and 
iimahawked  and  scalped  the  former  before  he  was  kit- 
"jed  by  the  troops— [|Cj*  "See  Plat^.} 

Agreeable  to  the  statement  of  the  Indians,  ihey  kil- 
Rd  650  of  the  American  troops,  and  took  seven  pieces 
t^annon— ^300  oxen  and  a  great  number  of  horses,  but 
nfe  pnsonets-^nd  that  their  loss  was  only  fifty-six  warri- 
ors killed.— Tffey  stated  that  *they  were  4000  "strong, 
and  were  commanded  by  one  of  the  Missasago  Indians, 
who  had  been  in  the  British  service  in  the  late  war  ;'th«c 
he  planned  and  conducted  the  attack,  which  was  even 
contrary  to  the  opinion  of  a  majority  of  the  chiefs—and, 
that  after  the  Americans  began  their  retreat,  he  told 
ihe  Indians  they  had  kil|^d  enough,  and  that  it  was  pr&j^ 
«r  to  give  over  the  pursuit?  and  return  and  enjoy  the 
booty  they  had  taken— he  was  six  feet*  in  height,  abeibt 
4#»years  of  age,  of  a  very  sour  and  morose  countenance, 
iittd  apparently  very  cj^fi^  and  subtle— his  dress  was  In- 
4ian  hose  and 
way  down  his  t 
his  head  was 
way  down 
silver  broac 
red  ;  he  h 
of  each  w 


size  of  a 


•f  dollar sKid 


iue  petticoat  that  came  hali^. 
ropean  waiscoat  and  surtouf  }«" 
an  UTdian  cap   that  hung  hair 
lad  almost  entirely  filled 'with  pla|i' 
to  the  number  of  more  than  two  hund- 
wo  ear>  rings  to  each  ear;  the  u|ypi^  piarT 
formed  of  three  silver  medals  abodtyis 
'ar  ;  theJowcr  part  wat  formed  of  quart^ 
more,  thi^l'"  ^i\m  from  his  timi 


'^' 


'«■; 


^156^ 


II. 
I?- 


one  from  etch  ear  over  his  breast-*-the  other  ever  hit 
back  i  he  had  three  very  large  nobe  jewels  of  silver  that 
were  curiously  painted* 

The  party  of  friendly  Chickast^s,  wha  were  on  their 
way  to  join  the  American  troops  arrived  at  Fort  JefTer^ 
son  twQIpkrjrs  after  the  bloody  action.— They  were  com- 
manded.liyHnoMiKco,  or  the  Mountain  Leader.— On 
their  way  they  discovered  that  the  troops  had  been  de- 
feated} but  saw  but  one  of  the  pnemy,  who,  mistaking 
FioMiNoo's'party  for  some  of  his  own  comradesi  made 
up  to  them-;  he  perceived  his  mistake,  but  too  late  to. 
retreal ;  he  was  accosted  by  Piomikqo,  with  *<  Iiuse<A 
jou  ftave  been  killing  white  men.'*  He  endeavored  to  ex« 
culp^tt  himself,  but  PioMiMao  ordered  two  of  his  war- 
riors to  expand  his  arms,  and  a  third,  an  old  man  (for 
saysf  loMiNGO,  <>none  of  my  young  men  shall  disgrace 
themselv<ls  so  muqh  as  to  kill  a  wretch  r4e  thee")  te 
shoot  him  through  the  heart,  which  was  accordingly  ex^* 
ecuted  ;  they  afterwards  took  off  his  scalp.  * 

During  St.  Clair's  bloody  engagement,  Adjutant 
Burgess  received  two  wounds,  the  second  of  which 
proved  mortal :  after  the  receipt  of  the  first,  be  contin- 
ued to  fight  with  distinguished  gallantry  ;  the  second 
^  unfortunately  stopped  his  progress:  faint  with  the  loss 
ol*  blood,  he  fell  t  a  woman,  who  attended  him  and  was 
particularly  attached  to  him,  Ja^ed  him  up,  and  whiip 
supporting  him  in  her  arm8,Ki^e4||ball  in  her  breast, 
which  put  an  immediate  end  n^e"*  6}u|^nce  I 

rented  youth) 

€ell,  one  of  the  savages  attempted  ro  taflb  off  his  scalp, 
which  Col.  Darkk  perceiving,  he  hastencl|o  the  spot, 
Mnd  with  his  sword  stabbed  the  miscrcan^Ti  rough  the 

My. 


t^ 


*v-^; 


,»*"' 


i 


INDIANS  DEFEATED.  ? 

A  few  weeks  after  the  defeat  of  the  troopt  under  Gen, 
6t.  Clair,  Gen.  Scott  despatched  frooi  the  men  under 
his  command  two  apies  to  reconnoitre  the  enemy,  who, 
when  they  arrived  at  the  distance  of  a  kw  iai|e«  Irom 
the  fatal  spot  where  the  bloody  action  was   fought,  they 
discovered  a  large  party  of  IndiaiM  diverting  and  enjoy- 
ing themselves  with  the  plunder  they  had   taken,   rtdioff 
the  huUocks,  &c.  and  appeared  to  be  mostly. drunk—th* 
men  returned  and  communicated  the  important  informa- 
tion to  Gen.  Scott,  who  immediately  thereupon  lflvide<| 
his  troops  into  three  divisions,  adranced  and  fell  on  the 
enemy  by  surprise— the  contest  was  short  but  victoiioua 
on  the  part  of  the  American  troops  j  two  hundred  of 
th^  enemy  were  killed  on  the  spot,  ail  the  cannon  and 
■lores  in  their  possession  retaken,  and  lis  remainder  0f 
the  savage  body  put  to  flight — Geo.  Scott   losing  but 
rfx  men,  returned  to  head  quarters  tn  tnumph,  with  most 
of  the  cattle,  stores,  &c. 

Gen.  Scott  gave  the  followirig  affecting  account  of 
the  appearance  of  the  field  on  wtiich  the  bloody  action 
between  the  American  troops,  under  Geo.  St.  Claib, 
and  the  savages,  was  fought  :— .«  The  place  had  a  very 
melancholy  appearance— nearly  in  the  space  of  350  yards 
lay^OOskuUbones— 300  of  which  were  buried  by  my 
men  while  on  the  ground  ;  from  thence  for  fiv  miiea  on, 
^nd  from  the  roads  through  the  woods,  was  strewed  with 
skeletci  ,,'^mu<>l*is,  &&.*< 


1^ 


DEFEAT  OF  HAJOR  M'MAHON. 

Oh  il,e  29th  of  July,  1794,  Maj.  M«MAao»r  nMir^^ 
ffilh  80  rificmen,  under  the  command  of  Capt.  HAitTi 


^15S-= 


*»», 


iiotK,  and  50  dngooni  under  the  comound  of  Capt. 
Tatlor,  for  Fort  Recovery,  as  an  escort  to  300  pack- 
hor  s  loaded  with  flour  ior  that  garrison  i  on  the  morn, 
ing  following  after  they  had  deposited  their  loading,  and 
were  preparing  to  set  out  on  their  return,  they  were  at- 
tacked by  an  army  of  1200  Indians  ;  Capt.  Hartshorw, 
who  had  advanced  with  the  riflemen  about  a  quarter  of  i 
mile  into  the  woods,  immediately  took  post  on  a  very 
strong  comniandiag  piece  of  ground  near  the  garrjson, 
•nd  with  unparalleled  bravery,  maintained  the  une  jal 
lighuUlI  Maj.  M'Mahon,  who  had  put  himself  at  the 
head^the  cavalry,  was  killed,  a&  was  Capt.  Tatlor,  and 
Cornel  Terry,  and  many  of  the  men  wounded.  The 
enemy  now  put  their  force  against  Capt.  Hartshorn, 
and  in  the  moment  when  they  were  pushing  to  cut  off 
his  communication  with  the  garrison,  Lieut.  Darke,  and 
Ensign  Don,  sallied  out,  at  the  head  of  20  brave  fellowS} 
who  turned  out  voluntarily  on  the  occasion,  and  joined 
him,  after  beating  the  enemy  back  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet;  at  this  instant  the  brave  Capt.  II^artsrorn  re- 
.llpeived  &  shot  which  broke  his  thigh.  Lieut.  Craig  was 
killed,  and  Lieut.  Marks  taken  prisoner.  Lieut.  Drake 
now  ordered  a  retreat,  and  in  endeavoring  to  hold  the  en- 
emy in  check,  so  as  to  give  the  men  time  to  save  Capt. 
JiAkrsHOHiT^  he  received  a  shot  in  the  groin;  The  ene- 
my now  pressed  so  hard  as  to  compel  the  men  to  leave 
their  captain. «. 

Great  numbers  of  the  Indians  must  have  been  killed* 
as  they  came  forward  in  solid  columns,  up  to  the  muzzle 
of  the  guns;  Lieut.  Michael^  who  was  with  Capt. 
HjsrsHoss,  b«t  whom  he  had  detached  with  a  few  active 
mm  to  the  flank  of  the  enemy,  was  now  missing ;  and 
while  their  companions  in  the   fort  were  deploring  their 


s~.^'srs:;iiii  U3SU  g:T;;i>  viscjii  u|i    us 


iUSl,     liiCy 


SB»      iiitii    HUm 


Lk^.  Mj$ms  rushing  through  the  ihick  of  the  cDemy 


J>* 


—  )S9— 


ti  opposite  directions,  and  though  numbers  of  guns  wert 
filed  at  them  they  got  in  safe.  Lieut.  MicuASf.  lost  ever*- 
man  of  his  parly  except  three,  and  Lieut.  Marks  got  off 
by  knocking  down  the  Indian  who  took  him.      ^ 

The  Indians  were  observed  to  carry  off  great  numbera 
of  killed  and  wounded  on  pack  horses— the  loss  of  th« 
Americans  was  35  killed,  and  about  40  wounded— the 
party  commanded  by  Capt.  HAR7su'>3}f  brought  in  (en 
acalps  of  the  enemy. 


CHAP.  XL  # 

DEPREDATIONS   OF  THe" INDIANS   ON  THE 
FRONTIERS  in  ir9l,  1793  and  mz, 

ON  the   loih  December  1791,  as  two  men  .ikI 
three  boys  were  fishing  on  Floyd's  fork  of  Salt  Rirer 
they  were  suddenly  attacked   by   a  party    of  Indians^ 
who  killed  the  two  men  and  made  prisoners  of  the  boys. 
Soon  after  they  liberated  one  of  the  lads,  first  prescntinlfc 
hjm  with  a  tomahawk,  which  they  desired  him  to  carry    ' 
to  his  friends  and  inform  them  what  bad  b«com«  of  ^ 
companions. 

About  the  20th,  a  party  of  Indians  attacked  the  b«»t$ 
ofaMr.CHENowETH,  situated  near  the  mouth  olfctbe 
Wabash,  they  killed  and  scalped  two  of  hia  children 
and  tomahawked  and  scalped  Us  wife,  wliOm  they  left 
for  dead-Mr.  C.  (who  had  his  arm  broken  by  .he  fire 
of  the  savages)  with  the  remainder  of  the  family  made 
their  escape.~A  sick  daughter  who  was  confined  to  her 
chamber,  and  who  during  the  bloody  affray  had  bf  en  for- 
gotton  by  her  father,  relnained  ignorant  of  the  horrid  " 
massacre  until  the  sncf^«<>H;na  a^»  .  ».k^»  -^  ^-    „" 

tamily  coming  to  her  assistance,  she  succeeded,  in  cranryif 


S 


^160— 


m 


iftg  down  stairs.  Where  she  was  inexpresaiblf  shocked  sll 
the  sight  of  a  beloved  parent  stretched  upon  the  floors 
almost  lifeless,  and  beside  of  whom  lay  the  mangled^ 
bodiesof  her  dear  brothers.  Fortunately,,  her  unbapp^ 
father  returned  the  succeeding  day  to  the  house,  and  convf 
teyed  the  two  surviving  members  of  his  family  to  thd 
house  of  a  friend,  where  they  finally  recovered;     , 

On  the  24tb»  a  party  of  Indians   attacked  the  dwet* 
ling  house  of  a  Mr.  JoHir  Merril^  in   Nelson  countyy 
(Kenlucky.)— Mr.  Merrill  who  was  first  alarmed  by 
the  barking  of  his  dog,  hastened  to  the  door   to  discover 
the  ^se,  on  opening  of  which,  he  received  the  fire  of  thtt 
Indians  which  broke  his  right  leg  and  arm— the  Indians 
ivow  attempted  to  enter  ihi^  house,  but  was  prdrented  by 
the  doors  being  immediately  closed  and  secured  by  Mrs; 
Merril  and  her  daughter— the  Indians  succeeded  in 
hewiag  away  a  part  of  (be  door,  through  which  passagef 
one  of  them  attempted  to  enter,  but  the  ^roic  mother,  in 
the  midst  of  het  scresming  children  and  groaning  busw 
band,  seized  an  axe  and  gave  the  ruffian  a  fatal  blt^w  ;  a& 
|vfer  which  she  hauled  him  through  the  passage  into   the 
house  !— the  others  (unconscious  of  the  fate  of  their  ccwir* 
panion)  supposing  that  they  had  p«r  nearly  succeeded  in( 
(heir  object,  rushed  forward,  four  of  whom  Mrs.  I^RRit 
in  like  manner  despatshed  before  the  others  discovered 
Sheir  mistake,— The  remaining  Indians,  after  retiring  fof 
a  few  moments,  returned  and  renewed  their  efforts  to  enter 
thevhou»e — despairing  of  succeeding  at  .the  dcvor  they  got 
on  the  top  of  .^e  house  aod   attempted  to  descend  the 
f^hironcy,  to  prevent  yt\i\t\kMv,  Merril  directed  his  lit* 
Ik  son  to  em^  /  upon  the  fire  the  contents  of  a  featliei^- 
t^evl)  which  had  the  desired  effect,  as  the  smoke  and  heat 
caused  thereby,  sootif  brought  down  rather  unexpectedly 
two  ol  the  enemy  :— Mr.  MERStL  exerting  every  faculty 
,^  tins  critical  moment,  9«i:|p|ift  UUet  of  iroo4  wHH 


'^:*'^ 


'kX'. 


•  y» 


! 


#161—     ' 

i^hicfi  fie  soon  despatclied  the  two  half  smotfiered  tn^i^fi9> 
irhile  in  the  mean  time  his  heroic  wife  was  busily  engag- 
ed in  defending  the  door  against  the  efforts  of  the  only 
remaining  one,  whom  she  so  severely  wounded  with  an 
axe  that  he  was  soon  glad  to  retire.' 

A  prisoner  who  escaped  from  the  enemy  soon  'l^er 
the  transaction,  informed  that  the  wounded  savage  above 
inentioned  was  the  only  one  that  escaped  of  the  party, 
which  consisted  of  eight— that  on  his  return  being  asked 
by  the  prisoner  "  what  news,"  he  answered  "  b  1  news, 
lot  poor  Indian,  me  lo&e  a  son,  me  lose  a  brother^-— the 
squaws  have  taken  the  breach  tlout  and  fight  worse  ihaii, 
the  ♦'  Long  Knives  V* 


i% 


# 


^Opy  o^  a  letter  from  a  gentleman  rcsideing  at  the  weat^ 
f! tAfi        ,W»rd  to: a  friend  in  New- York,  dated, 
.«^^fnv  Mar iettai  February  \i  1792. 

.1  J|#ur  prospects  are  much  changed. — Instead  of  peace 
^d  friendship  with  our  Indian  neighbors,  a  horrid  savag«[ 
4M|r  stares  us  in  the  face  j  the  Indians,  instead  of  being 
^^Iphnbied  by  the  destruction  Of  the  Shawanese  towns,  and 
Voiightto  beg  for  peace,  appear  determined  on  a  gener-' 
et  war,  in  which  our  Settlements  we  already  involved*-*" 
On  the  everting  of  the  second  instant^  they  fell  on  a  "^et^* 
tltiment  about  forty  miles  up  the  Muskingdom,  surprised 
a  blqclihouse,  killed  fourteen  persons,  and  carried  off 
three  othersif  The  persons  killed  are>  John  and  ffiilip 
atacy,aona  to  Col.  William  Stacy,  from- New  Salem,  Ez- 
ra Putnam,  son  to  Major  Ezra  Puinam,  from  Mieldle*- 
town,  in  Massachusetts,  John  Camp,  from  the  siurtjc 
place,  Jonathan  Farewell,  and  James  Cas|%  and  Wittlatu 
Patton,  from  New.Hameshiret  Zebulon  Tbroop,  firota 
Baace,  William  James,  from  Conne(#:ut,  Joseph  Clark, 
vlipoiA  Hhode  lalaad,  a  man  bjfi||Mg|£ne  of  Mceka,  witu 

y 


^■ 


^# 


1'         .» 


—us 


Hi 


his  Wife  and  children,  from  Virginia.  These  \ftY6  «dl 
killed  in  and  at  the  block^houae.  Francis  and  Isaaa^ 
Choat,  from  Lancaster,  ami  one  Shaw,  who  kept  at  a  hut^ 
about  50  rods  from  the  block  house,  was  not  found  by  the; 
party  that  went  out,  and  it  is  hoped  that  they  are  prison- 
ers.—What  number  of  Indians  were  concerned  in  this 
mischief,  or  from  what  tribe,  we  know  not,  but  from  those- 
Indians  who  till  lately  used  to  visit  our  settlements  every^ 
(lay,  withdrawing  themselves  entirely  from  our  8i(;ht,ever 
since  the  expedition  against  the  i^hawanese,  there  is' little 
reason  to  doubt  but  the  Dclawares  and  the  Wiandotes,  as 
vrell  as  others,  have  had  a  hand  in  this  nefarious  business.^' 
"  It  is  impossible  for  me  to  give  a  just  idea  of  tho 
distress  into  which  this  event  has  thrown  the  inhabitants, 
especially  those  of  the  out  settlements.  For  my  own 
part  Lhave  for  some  lime  been  of  opinion,  that  the  spring; 
would  bi^en  with  a  general  atiack  on  the  frontiers^  in  which 
event  t  did  not  expect  we  should  escape,  unless  govern- 
ment should  timely  send  troops  for  our  protection^  #htch 
we  was  in  hopes  would  be  the  case.  But  it  seems  the 
tnemy  are  determined  to  take  advantage  of  our  defen|i» 
iciss  situation.  I  consider  this  event  aslhe  forerunneilii 
other  attacks  of  a  more  serious  nature,  and  which  may 
Involve  us  in  complete  ruin,  unless  prevented  by  govern* 
ment  immediately  taking  measures  for  our  protectiouk'-^ 
To  their  protection  I  conceive  we  always  had  an  indispu* 
tabl^Uim,  which  claim,  if  possible,  is  increased  by  the 
circWrtSlances  that  have  brought  us  under  the  resent* 
ment  of  the  Indians,  and  at  least,  in  some  measure  pro- 
duced the  mischief  that  we  are  fallen  into.'' 


Copy  of  A'^iter  from  a  gentleman  in  Kentucky  to  his 
rrie^d  in  Philadelphia,  dated 

%  March  ^y  1703. 

f<  As  to  1^  Indialilltliey  have  been  troublesoiQe  atf 


—163^ 


0 


*vinter»  Since  October  last,  60  persons  tiave  been  kilted 
wiihin  the  limits  of  this  district,  besides  a  number  des- 
troyed on  the  Ohio  j  among  whom  is  our  old  acquaiii- 
tance,  Mr.  John  May,  late  of  Botclouie,  whose  exit  de- 
serves notice,  because  he  was  actuated  by  motives  of  hu- 
manity. The  affair  is  thus  related  by  a  captive  that  hat 
lately  made  his  escape  from  the  Indians,  who  wasaspec- 
Utor,  and  an  unwilling  instrument  in  the  tragedy. 

Mr.  Mat,  in  descending  the  Great  Kaqh(*#8iand  Ohio, 
•bout  the  20th  of  February  last,  discovered  on  the  western 
shore  of  the  latter,  near  the  mouth  of  Sciota,  a  while 
man,  Vho,  with  a  plain.ive  voice,  was  calling,  for  God's 
sake,  to  come  and  rake  a  poor  prisoner  on  board,  that  was 
endeavouring  to  escape  from  the  savages.  This  ht '  "he 
intended  effect.  Mr.  May  ordered  the  boat  towfirt .  .3 
ahore,  and  did  not  discover  his  mistake  until  the  Indians 
rose  up  from  their  ambush,  fired,  sliot  him  dead,  and 
wounded  some  others  of  the  passengers  on  board,  who 
immediately  endeavored  to  make  off ;  but  being  told  ia 
the  English  tongue,  they  should  have  good  quarters,  sur- 
rendered without  resistance.  The  Indians,  however,  on 
boarding  the  bdat,  massacred  all,  without  discrimination. 
Two  days  after,  the  same  party  attempted  to  decoy  ehree 
large  boats  ashore  that  were  coming  down  from  Fort  Fiit, 
but  luckily  they  were  discqyered  in  lime,  and  our  people 
bheered  off.  The  enemy,  being  prepared,  manned  0ne 
of  their  boats  with  about  30  warriors,  and  gave  chase 
The  crews  of  two  of  the  boats,  fearing  they  ml^t  be 
overtaken,  quilted  them,  and  went  on  board  the  best  sailoPj 
where  they  threw  overboard  all  the  horses,  and  some 
heavy  articles,  and  plied  all  their  oars  to  effect  their  es- 
cape. The  Indians  also  exerted  themselves  ifl^h©  pur- 
suit, keeping  on  a  steady  course  for  about  g4ihtlea*«0N 
%vitstanding  24  well  armed  while  imsn  wef#?fn V^rd 
the  American  boat,  wiih  one  of  our  Colonel*  of  llffikl^i' 


Thus,  for  want  of  a  little  resolution  and  sk!ll»  a  ftvour- 
able  opportunity  was  lott,  to  destroy  a  number  of  the  vile 
(enemies  to  the  human  race.  The  Indians,  on  their  re- 
tprn,  took  possession  of  the  two  boats  that  were  abandon- 
ed, and  found  in  them  17  horses,  5000  dollars  worth  of 
merchandize^  and  considerable  properiyt  beIon]i;ing  to  thd 
fmigranls, 

I'ort  M'Intosh,  on  the  Ohio,  was  a  short  time  since 
attacked  by  a  party  of  Indians— they  secreted  themselves 
liear  the  fort  i^nd  succeeded  in  killing  the  centinel  on  du- 
ty, they  then  rushed  into  the  fort  and  discharged  their 
Dieccs  on  those  within,  but  one  man  was  wounded,  who, 
in  endeavourin«:  to  escape,  was  tomahawked  by  an  In- 
dian. One  ball  jusi  grazed  the  temple  of  Capt.  FoRiKs, 
vho  commanded  the  guard,  and  four  others  struck  the 
log  above  his  head,  the  splinters  and  bits  of  which  cut 
his  face,  and  left  it  as  if  scarified.  The  garrison  consist- 
ed of  twenty  men  and  there  were  about  forty  of  the 
iBnemy. 

Thus,  sir,  tve  find  that  Indian  treaties  do  not  secure 
our  country  from  the  depredations  of  the  savages  ;  our 
last  hope  now  is  that  the  President  of  th^  United  States 
wilt,  ere  long,  adopt  such  measures  as  will  prove  the 
cHiciency  of  the  Federal  Government,  to  protect  the  citi- 
zens of  the  United  Slates,  however  remotely  8ituaie4 
from  the  ^&t  of  government." 


Copy  of  tj  letter  from  a  gentleman  in  Soulh-Carolina  to  a 
friend  in  New- York,  dated 

**  Charleston,  Au^mt  6,  1792. 
"  An  express  arrived  from  Gen.  Pickens  and  Colonel 
ANDKnsoN,  which  biing*  advices  to  the  Governor, staling* 
tivat  a  general  Indian  war  on  the  western  frontiers  of  the 
Jfitlthcrn  Slates  seems  inevitable ;  that  by  iniellifii^tc?  fropj 


^USfm 


Ihc  ootatttry  6f  the  Creeks,  an  the  tribes  except  the  Cnt- 
sntAWB  are  determined  for  war ;  urged  by  GALraiv,  iht 
•uccessor  o(  M'Giluvray  ;  and  lh«t  ihev  hare  already 
commenced  hostilities  wilhin  the  Carolina  line,  a  party  of 
them  having  killed  and  scalped  a  man  on  Tugaloo.  We 
hear  his  excelleiicy  has  ordered  one  third  of  the  mMitia 
in  the  upper  diatrict*  to  be  drafted,  an!  held  in  readiness 
for  immediate  service,  should  the  savages  make  further 
depredations  on  the  frontiers. 

•<  Yesterday  evening  a  gentleman  arrived  here'froti 
Augusta,  in  Georgia,  who  mformed  us,  that  six  of  the 
Creek  towns,  with  «  number  of  Gherokecs,  had  deelared 
>var  against  the  United  States,  and  were  actually  march, 
ing  under  the  command  of  Bowles  and  Galpmin  to  at- 
tack the  frontiers. 

«  On  the  22d  ult.  the  Indians,  St  in  number,  oame  to 
the  howseofa  Mr.  Richaho  Thresher,  in  Augusta, 
«nd  fired  upon  and  killed  Mr.  TaaEsHEn,  two  children 
and  a  negro  woman  ;  Mrs.  Thresher,  to  avoid  ifikjati- 
h\t  the  fate  with  which  she  was  threatened,  fled  with  afi 
infant  of  about  five  or  six  weeks  old  in   her  arms,  antil 
leaped  into  the  river;  the  Indians  pursued,  shot  h«r 
through  each  thigh  and  right  breast,  stabbed  her  in  the 
left  breast  with  a  knife,  cut  her  left  arm  nearly  off,  and 
then  scalped  her.    In  this  horrid  situation  she  remained 
until  the  neighbors  could  assemble  in  sufficient  numbers 
to  cross  the  river  and  pu  sue  the  Indians;    As  the  first 
canoe  was  crossing  she  had  strength  enough  to  call  for 
assistance,  they  went,  found  her  hanging  by  a  bush  in 
water  nearly  up  to  her  chin,  her  infant  at  the  bottom  of 
the  river,  a  few  yards  from  her.    She  lived  24  hours,  ami 
l»hen  informed  by  her  physician  that  it  was  impossible 
for  her  to  survive  much  longer,  she  with  a  fortitude  that 
15  rarely  to  be  met  with,  called  her  friends  around  her, 
and  in  a  calm  but  pathetic  manner;  gave  her  handidca^li 


W.166-; 


%ne,  wishing  them  a  better  l?.te  than  had  befalleii  heibtdf 
and  family  ;  and  when  after  her  speech  failed)  as  nei,:h« 
bors  were  constantly  coining  in}  she  continued  to  givtt 
her  hand  until  about  five  minutes  before  ahe  resigned  hi.t 
breath,  which  was  wiihout  a  gro  ^n. 

*«  Mrs.  Thresher  was  about  twenty-five  years  of  age, 
of  a  respectable  family  and  elegant  person ,  and  ;^05f  essed 
a?5  uincommoK  educati(itj. 

**  On  Th?5  ;.day  the  2'lth  two  men  were  killed  in  Frank- 
lin, and  40  htifcra  <  arricd  clT;  and  since  the  accounts 
abt>ve  received.,  -'*l!  tht  mhabiianls  on  the  frontiers  have 
retreated  into  t'onsj  v  sthtut  arms  or  ammunitioi^^— At 
ope  meeting  o<  ni;ar40  persons  they  could   only  muster 

•five  .old  muskets  ;  to  heighten  the  horror  of  their  candi" 
^ioni  the  Indiana*  were  momently  expected* 

'  '  **  As  .'similar  murders  are  daily  committed,  it  called  up 

the  spirit  of  800  gallant  fellows,  who  marc^d  last  week,^ 

against  the  savages,  determined  to  revenf^  the  cruelties 

|irep«red  on  the  infant,  the  mother,  and  the  defencelei^; 

"  X<}  see  the  country  all  in  forts,  breaking  up,  leavmg^ 

/their  farms,  their  houses  and  corn  burnt  up)  is  truly  dis< 
tressing.  At  this  time  nearlf  half  the  country  are  in  forts. 
•^  Captain  Kenton  with  about  35  men,  who  went  up 
the  Ohic  in  order  to  intercept  the  Indians  who  took  Mor- 
gan's station,  fell  in  with  a  trail  of  a  party  of  Indians  on 

Pihc  waters  of  Point  Creek,  coraing  in  to  the  settlement. 
He  follov.  ed  tl.tm,  and  at  night  observing  he  was  near 
them,  senl  forward  some  spies  to  discover  their  fires  ; 
unluckily  the  spies  fell  in  with  their  camp,  uid  before  they 
discovered  it  the  Indians  were  alarmed  by  a  doj,;  r  *io 
flew  out  at  the  spies  ;  upon  whioJi  the  Indians  fi.U  on 
them;  the  spiesje.  <  ried  the  fire  ;  upon  heailr  -,  tue fir- 
ing thewholf  1^.  ttic  ij^iiy  came  up,  and  the  I;^'i,«inj»  re* 

^Quantity  of  powder,  lead,  and  blanlietsi    KENro^        1 


f 


tvro  prisoners ;  that  the  Creeks  threaten  to  retaliate,  and 
cut  them  all  off}  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  territory  are 
tvaiting  with  impatience  for  the  general  governnient  to 
afford  them  succor  and  protection,  that  treaties  with  the 
aavages  w-'J  avail  nothing,  as,  what  promises  they  make 
to-day,  they  will  not  hesitate  to  break  lo-morrow." 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  Mr.  >ffvCb;?iJir,  (a  Baptist,  mi* 
nister)  to  his  friend  in  Philadelphia,  dated 

"  Muddy  Creeky  (Penn.J  Sept,    I,   1792, 
*i  Bear  Sir^ 

«  The  following  are  the  particulars  of  the  de- 
struction of  my  unfortunate  family   by  the  Savages— On 
*he  10th  May  last  being  my  appointment  to  preach   at 
one  of  my  meeting  houses,  about  a  mile  (.om  my  dwel- 
ling house,    I  sat  out  wiih  my  loving  wife  and  five  chil- 
dren, for  public  worship.    Not  suspecting  any  danger, 
I  walked  behind  a  few  rods  with  my  bible  in  my  hand, 
meditating — As  I  was  thus  employed,  on  a  sudden,  I 
was  greatly  alarmed  by  the  frightful  shrieks  of  my  dear 
family  before  me— -I  immediately  ran  to  their  relief  witU 
all  possible  speed,  vainly  hunting  a  club  as  I  ran^when 
within  a  few  yards  of  them,  my  poor  wife  observing  me 
cried  out  to  me  to  make  my  escape— at  this  insU 
Indian  ran  up  to  shoot  me,  I  had  to  ^irip  and  by  so 
out  run  him.    My  wife  had  an  infant  in  her  arrns  XtW^h 
the  Indians  killed  and  scalped,  after  which  they  struck 
my  wife  several  limes,  but  not  bringing  her  to  the  ground, 
the  Indian  who  attenipted  to  shoot  me  approached  her 
and  shot  her  through  the  body,   after  which  ihey  scalped 
her  !— my  little  son,  about  six  years  old,  they  desp^died 
by  sinking  their  hatchets   into  his  brairi^  I*?»i^.-Mc 
Whier,  four  years  old,  they  in  iikc  manner  f  fed  Sd 


^'-/la 


\       r 


lis." 


iicalped  !  My  eldest  daughter  allcmpted  an  escape  fcf 
concealing  herself  in  a  hollow  Iree,  about  six  rods  from 
Ihe  fatal  scene  of  action-^observitig  the  Indians  retiring 
(&»  she  supposed)  she  deliberately  crept  from  the  place  of 
her  concealment,  when  one  of  the  Indians,  who  jet  re- 
mained on  the  ground,  espying  her,  ran  up  to  her  and 
with  his  tomahawk  knocked  her  down  and  scalped  her  !— 
but,  blessed  be  God,  she  yet  survives,  at  does  her  little 
sister  whom  the  savages  in  like  manner  tomahawked  and 
scalped— they  are  mangled  to  a  shocking  degree,  but  th» 
dtctors  think  there  are  some  hopes  of^heir  recovery. 

When  I  supposed  the  Indians  gone  I  returned  tp  see 
Vhat  had  become  of  my  unfortunate  family— whom,  ala»' 
I  found  in  the  situation  abqve  described  :— No  one,  my 
dear  friend,  can  form  a  true  conception  of  my  feelings  at 
»l)is  moment— a  view  of  a  scene  so  shocking  to  humanity 
nuite  overcome  me— I  fainted,  and  vras  unconsciously 
t)orne  oflT  by  a  friend  who  at  the  instant  arrived  to  my  relief. 

Thus,  dear  sir,  have  I  given  you  a  faithful  though  a 
Short  narrative  of  the  fatal  catastrophe— and  amidst 
•»hich  my  life  is  spared,  but  for  what  purpose  the  Grc-f 
Jehovah  bests  knows— oh,  may  I  spend  it  to  the  praise 
*nd  glory  of  his  grace,  who  worketh  all  things  after  the 
eouncU>iif  his  own  will— the  government  of  the  world  and 
the  church  is  in  his  hands.  I  conclude  with  wishing  yon 
every  blessing,  and  subscribe  myself  your  affectionate 
though  afllicted  friend,  and  unworthy  brother  in  the  gosn 
pel  ministry.  jq^^  CORBLY." 

•0 

On  the  srth  September,  1792,  a»  five  gentlemen 
(Messrs.  Jacobus  Tailir,'  Isaac  Arnold,  James  Stk- 
UTART,  Danibl  Barclat,  and  Isaac  Vak  Alsttkk,) 
were  on  their  way  to  Detroit,  at  a  place  called  the  rivei; 
miAltiif  OB  Lake  Eric,  they  were  ludOculy  attacked  hf 


I! 


-.in— 

(bur  Mahagon  or  Delaware  Indians  (armed  with  mus- 
kets and  lomahawks)  who  firc<l  onlhem  and  killed  Mr, 
Tai  LER  and  iMr.  Barclay  dead  on  the  spof,  and  wound- 
ed Mr.  ARNOLD—they  then  rushed  on  wiih  their  toina- 
Iiawks— one  attacked  Mr.  Arnold,  who,  after  a  smart 
stug!»le,  in  which  he  received  several  wounds  in  his  head, 
disengaged  himself,  and  having  a  Aiusket  at  the  instant 
presented  him  by  Mr.  Stewart,  snapped  it  (it  unfortu- 
nately not  being  charged)  at  the  Indian,  who  immediately 
thereupon  with  the  three  others  fled  to  the  woods.  As 
soon  as  they  had  disappeared,  Mr.  Arnold  and  his  com- 
panion hastcijed  to  the  shore  of  the  lake,  in  which  they 
launched  their  battcau,  but  when  about  thirty  rods  from 
the  shore,  they  were  hailed  by  Mr.  Van  Alstvnb,  who 
during  the  bloody  contest  haii  secreted  himself  in  the 
bushes — he  begged  of  his  companions  to  return  and  take 
him  onboard,  on  which  Mr.  Arnold  requested  him  to 
proceed  a  few  rods  down  the  lake  to  a  point  of  land, 
where  he  could  more  conveniently  take  him  in— Mr.  Vaw 
Alstyne,  it  was  supposed,  misunderstanding  his  friend^ 
proceeded  directly  up  the  lake,  to  the  very  spot  where 
the  Indians  were  then  assembled,  who  with  their  toma- 
hawks instantly  despatched  him  ;  after  which  they  fulln-/.. 
ed  the  two  survivors,  :n  an  old  canoe,  two  or  three  mi(t4 
clown  the  lake,  but  being  unable  to  oveiluul  them,  they 
<]lbconiinued  the  pursuit.  . 


•i-4^ 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  a  gentleman   in  Marietta  to  hii 
friend  in  Washington,  dated 

<*  Mariettay  March  4,  1793, 

**  About  eight  weeks  since,  two  brothers  by  the   nariM; 

ef  Johnson,  one  12,  the  other  9  years  old,  wi^^^ii^^ 

on  the  western  bank  of  Short  Creek,   abpijit  3^^^,  iift'^ei 

i'rom  VVhcelin^f,  skipping  stones  in  the  mit|ti^lil^ft  (lis* 


lance  they  discovered  t,.omer,  .vho  appeared  to  be  eel. 
tiers,  bems  drcsse     vi.n  c.:at;  and  hata.-.These  men   to 
amuse  and  deceive  :he  children  (as   ihty  even  shewed) 
engaged  m  the  same  sport,  ndvancine  towards  the  boys, 
t.il  by  degre,  the)  .>ot  so  near  that  the  children  d.scov! 
cred  them  lo  be  Indians  ;  but  it  wa-  'h.  .  ..  ,  ,,,^  ^o  ^ake 
their  escape.     The  Indians  sei^^ed  and  carried  them  six 
wiles  into  ihe  woods,  wliere  they  made  a  fire,  and   took 
«P  their  Jougings  for  the  night  j  their  riflels  and   toma- 
hawks th.y  rested  againn  a  tree,  and  then  laid  down, 
each  Indian  with  a  boy  on  his  arm.     The   children   as 
may  b,  supposed  kept  awake-the  eldest  begun  to  move, 
«nd  finding  his  Indian   sound  asleep,   by  degrees  disen- 
gaged  himself,   and  went  to  the  fire,  which  had  then  got 
low  and  stirred  it  up  ;  the  Indian  not  v  aking,he  whisper, 
cd  to  his  brother,  who  likewise  crept  away,  and   both  of 
»hem  went  to  the  fire.     The  oldest  boy  then  observed  to 
His  brother,  "  I  ti.ink  we  can  kill  these  Indians,  and  get 
«way  from  them"-the  youngest  agreed  in  the  proposal 
of  attempting  it.     The  oldest  then  took  one  of  th.   nflcs 
and  placed  the  muzzle,  which  he  rested  on  a  small  stick 
that  he  found  for  the  purpose,   close  i    the  head  of  one 
ot  the  Indians,  and  cor      ittinr  the  ex      uion  of  ihis  part 
of  the  business  to  his  brother,  on  cred  him  to  pull  the 
trigger  at  the  moment  he  Haw  him   strike  ihe  oth'-v  In. 
ilian  with  one  of  the  tomanawks.     The   oldest   guve  th? 
ftignal  ;  the  youngest  pulled  trigger—the  rifle  shot  away 
Ibc lower  part  of  the  Indian's  face  and  lei.  him  senseless; 
he  then  told  his  brother  to  lay  on,  h     uad   done  for 

his  ;  after  which  he  snatched  up  th  gi  and  ran  ;  the 
fcoy  wuli^the  tomahawk  gave  the  strcke  wi.a  the  wfong 
tnd.  -iic  Indian  started  on  his  seat— the  boy  found  tim 
wn  .take,  and  lurmng  the  tomahawk  >n  his  hand,  gave 
.!!"*  ''"';^^*'  ^^"""^  which  brou^l|,t  hipi  to  the  ground  j  he 
-€p---idhi5  strokes  uuiii  he:^aU  despatched  Inm,  aai( 


then  nMde  the  best  of  his  way  after  his  brother.  When 
the  boys  had  found  the  path  which  they  recollected  to  have 
travelled  before,  the  oldest  fixed  his  hat  on  a  bush,  as  a 
directory  to  find  the  scenes  of  action  the  next  day.  The 
tomahawked  Indian  was  found  near  the  place  where  the 
boya  had  left  him.  The  other  was  not  there  ;  but  wat 
tracked  by  his  blood,  and  although  so  weakened  by  his 
wounds,  that  he  could  not  raise  hit  rifle  to  fire  at  his  QHip 
suers  (the  whites)  they  suffered  him  to  escape;  but  TO 
supposed  he  must  have  died  o  .  wounds.  These  two 
Indians  were  sent  out  to  recomioitre  the  best  place  fof  sn 
Rliack,  whic  was  to  have  been  made  by  a  body  of  war- 
riors,  ..aiting  in  the  neighborhood. 


Copy  of  ^.  T  Iter  from  Colonel  Robertson,  to  General 
Washington,  dated 
'^,  Nashville^  Feb,  1,   1703, 

«'  oia^r  "  ace  nnts  received  from  the  Chickasaw  na* 
tlou  orim;         wt  art  informed  that  at  a  grand   council 
of  their  warnurs       vvas  unanimously  determined  to  corn- 
men  e  active  operauons  against  the  whites  ;  the  Chero. 
Ues  they  expect  will  join  them.    The  white  inhabitanta 
m  this  quarter  are  drawing  t     ether,  and  are  doing  c 
thing  possible  for  their  defence     hut  I  fear  without  som« 
timely  assistance  we  shall  all        a  sacrifice  to  the  wan- 
t  n  barbarity  of  our  savag    fee     w" ->  we  expect  arc  now 
ontheir  way  to  this  place,  to   the     .umber  of  one  tbpt*| 
sand.     Major  Hall  and  his  elJ    t  son  iell  a  sac    fice  t? 
their  fury  two  day      go,  near  iJeUJoe's  Lick.     Tii  it  b|l|c 
niilfc    about  twcLty-four  pers  -^s  in  the  cou.    -  of  1  &w 
pionihs  in  this  seltienicnt,  bet  aes  a  £  eat  nu     ms  ^a  . 
h  -ai  a.  .m    ■■ ' 

ir'rwiT.  Burke  county  we  sarc  that  on  the  ?    h  iti^n^ 


inr 


i^ 


■/\ 


4  1 


i   t- 


I! 


>.s'<v. 


n 


two  m^-n, »  woman,  and  her  litile  dnup.lijcr,  were  ncalft. 
«d  at  Willittni'8  Swamp,  on  the  Ofvcchce  river,  Uy  «  ,,«,.. 
lyonn(li«nn-ihcIit-!rKirl  (to  dottr  tl.cm  from  (heir 
cru</I  d.M^n)  held  o.t  a  bot.Io  of  hon^-.  idlinj,  ,|,,„,  u 
%^asrum,  bcBKinKthem  in  the  mcon  time  to  .pule  her 
life-thcy  told  l.cr  they  did  not  want  rum,  hut  hrr  huir  ! 
Ihcy  knocked  her  down  iind  »culpcd  her,  hut  we  a.ehttfi. 
'^'^'  Icui  )  she  in  in  a  fair  y/ay  of  recovery, 

tf   letter  iVotn  Kentucky,   I  am  informed   that  tho 
lans  have  done  more  mischief  in  that  state  the   pre- 
:  year,   than  for  at  leaht  four  ycara  past.    Scarce  a 
fcotti'can  pass  below  Limestone  but  what  it  attacked  by 
Ihem  ;  six  or  seven  have  been  captured,  some  with  very 
waluable  lading^by  a  prisoner  who  escaped  from  them  a 
«hort  time  since,  we  are  informed  that  ihe  Indians  have 
inocured  a  boat,  or  rather  a  kind  of  lloating  battery,  with 
the  sides  built  high  and   rendered  I,  diet  proof;  this  boat 
IS  stationed  near  Ihe  mouth  of  the  (;reut  Miami.     They 
a  few  days  since  captured  a  boat  in  which  were  a  Capt. 
Ashley  and    his   fumily-a  »on   of  the   coi)tain  havintr 
Uen  very  spirited  In  the  opposition,  the  savages  immc 
dtalely  put  him  to  death,   cut  out  hia  heart  and  broiled  il 
.Vhitjh  they  afterwards  devoured  in  the  presence   of  tho 
«nlwppy  father,  who  bus  since   made    his  escape  from 
|hem-~a  ptoceedintj  so  barbarous  ns  this,  I   have  never 
htaid  of  being  pruciiscd  by  tlie  savages  before." 

Copy  6f  a  letter  from  Ccncrul  Clarke,  to  his  Excellency 
the  Governor  of  the  State  of  Georgia,  dated 

*^  Long  Creek,  Svpt.2^y  1793. 

«  Sm—l  had  certain  information  that  a  man  was  killed 

«r  %e  Uth  near  Grecnsborough,  by   a  parly  of  six  or 

'.cv#  Indians  ;^,aj^ that  on  the   I6ih  Col.  13   hbeb,  with 

a  iMiuii  ymiy  w«#4ui<i^y  fiP  Of  60  Indiuu.,  by  whom 


1  ■. 


-iri-j 


three  of  hU  ptrty  were  killed.    TMn,  In^cllirf   ultfi  ^ 
vaitcly  of  oilier  uccoiniiM  i(|ii«lly  uliiiiniii^;,   ilricrmliivd 
me  (o  luiHc  wimt  men  1  cuiild  in  lliu  (uiiiitu  ol  'J\  Imiirf 
•ndnmrcli  Willi  il.cm  to  jmncrl  ih*  IniiiliciH,  in    wliicli 
Bpuco  ultitnc  I  colktied    \(\'i  men,  cliicny  vuliin(r«ri| 
ihihI  |)H»cic<lt(l  lo  the  place  wlictc  Cul.  IUmhkn  had  lievn 
KUuckcd,    Mrheru   I  rninid   (ho   hodim  (d  Iha   tlirtc   men 
niemioned  uliovc,   mangled  in  n  nlidcKlnfr   mftniiu,  niid 
•rier  I  hnd  buiicd  them,  pioccidvd  on   ihu   imd  uf  Ibtfi 
imirdcrrrt*  hk  far   on  the  Miutli  lork  ol"  tlia  O.dimulgte'^ 
^hcre,  nndin((  I  hnd  no  chviico  of  ovnlnkinn   thvm,'  f 
left  it  und  went  np  tlio  aaid  rivur,  until  I  inttl  with  u  frmti 
liailol'  IndJttn>i  uimin^  in  townidn  our    lioiilicr  ncUle* 
incntN  ;  I  iinuurdiulely  tnrncd  uud  lullowed  this  iruil  nn- 
hi  the  mornin^j  dJ'  the  2  In,  bciwtcn    1 1  and   13  o'clock» 
•vhcn  I  tame  up  with  ihcm.     'Ihcy  hud    ju;»t  cro^ntd 
l*ronch,  colled  Jack's  Creek,  lhioii|;h  u  thick  e.me  br»»k< 
and  were  cruumptd  und  cooking  on  «n  cmlhtnce.     Mi 
force  then  coimiMinfj  of  ISO  men,  30  huvlng  been  •ent'^^ 
back  on  Bccount  of  their  homeii  bcinf;  tired  orid  lo.i.    I   < 
drew  up  my  men  in  three  divikiouM,  the  right  rommtiml^  , 
«d  by  Ccl.  I'MKKMAN  and  Mljor  Ci.amkic,  who  Wfr/B  fli^'^ 
dcrtd  to  Hurroond  und   chiiiKe  the   lodiuiin,  f^Jl||j^ 
(lid  with  Buch  dexterity  und  Mpirii  tliut   they  imniedtt^^ 
drove   them  from  their  encampment  back  Into  ih§  «i#,  *^ 
br&ke,  where,  fmdinj;   it  impoHHibIc  for  ihem  to  iMapfg   ' 
Ihcy  obftlinulcly  returned   our  fjic  ufitil  haff  pwt  four 
p'clock,  when  they  rtttHcd,  cx.:«-pi  now  and  then  ft  fcbot* 

«  During  the  luller  part  of  ihc  acJit.n  they  »fcJ»;d  fcv<'« 
fy  opportunity  of  escap.njj  by   •  ,,bI1  parties, .UMvifj^  tho 
rest  to  shift  for  thcm«clvcj!.    Ab«.ut  fcimiet  I  ihougMJt 
most  adviKcable  to  draw  off,  an  the  men  hftd  Ml#ere< 
want  of  provisions  nearly  two  day*,  and  for  wftftt  of 
ttr  duriniir  the  nftlnn.  >>■>!  n.,.^^  ».>*.«:^...i„.i..  <^  t^um  ^^mgf 

«i"Ui#w«iiBd  ;d,  Which  umoyjjita  10  dcvciii  aod  «i 


/ 


'ff 


*#-:: 


o 


■(.': 


led*    From  every  circumstance  I  am  certain  tberrwerd 
not  less  thap  25  Indians  killed,  and  probably  double  that 
number  woundcd.-In  short  ihey  were  totally  defeated 
with  the  loss  of  their  provisions,  cloathing, "  &c.  consist" 
ing  of  the  following  articles  :  4  muskets,    32  brass  ket-  * 
ties,  and  100  large  packs,  containing  blankets,  match-, 
coats,  boots,  moccasons,  tomahawks,   pipes,  upward?  of 
100  halters  and  bridles,  &c.  from  all  which  I  judj?6*their 
number  was  fully  equal  to  ours.    Col.  Freeman  and 
Major  Clarke  distinguished  themselves,  and  from  the 
spirit  and  bravery  with  which  the  whole  of  my  little  party 
acted  during  the  action,  I  do  not  believe  that  had   w^ 
met  them  in  the  open  woods,  we  should  have  been  more 
than  five,  minutes  in  df.  .y "'";?  them  all. 

«'  While  I  was  on  t»KS  e  v.  irsion  two  skirmishes  hap; 
pened  near  Greensbor  i-n,  in  one  of  which  one  man 
Vaswo^inded.andh  v.joUiet  sixstand  of  arms  were 
lost,  being  guardf  d  bj  only  two  men,  while  the  rest  of  th« 
party  were  gatl   ;  .g  fodder. 

«  I  am,  Sir,  with  the  utmost  respect,  your  Excellency'! 
most  obedient,  and  very  humble  servant. 

"  B.  CLARKE,  Brig,  Gen. 
■■''■■  «  His  E»,  Gecrge  Matkenos^  Governor  oj  Georgia," 


0' 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  an  officer  in  the  service  of  the  Uni; 
ted  States  to  his  friend  in  New- York,  dated 

«  £ufaloe  Creek,  Sept,  27     1793. 

<«  I  left  Fort  Franklin  the  3d  instant,  and  arrived  here 

the  nth  in  the  evening,  at  the  house  of  Mr.  VVinnev, 

who  informs  me  that  upwards  of  four  thousand  hostile  In- 

.^iani  were  now  assembled  at  the  Miami  villages,  and  that 

their  number  was  daily  increasing—Captain  Powel  and 

Several  oiltpp  oikniiAmor.  ^r  ,u^  n-:.:.i.   i-      «      .  , 

o— '"=-s"vs«  ui   n;c  Asjjiiaii    MiUiy   Uinea    Willi 

me  /ewtrdoy,  «nc!  ''rona  tbeif  coijyersaUon  I  m  perfectly 


#• 


tohvinced  t^at  the  Indians  are  supported  by  the  British  ini 
the  war  against  us— indeed,  Captain  Powel  told  me,  thait 
all  the  intentions  of  the  Indians  was  well  known  to  thenri) 
and  the  Indians  were  their  allies,  and  of  course  they  must 
support  them— he  aho  informed  me  that  ten  scouts  of 
hostile  Indians  were  then  out  to  strike  on  the  frontiersi 
and  that  they  would  soon  strike  the  Six  Nations.  Some 
of  the  chiefs  of  the  hosiile  Indians  passed  here  about  five 
days  ago  on  their  way  to  Canada,  but  what  their  business 
i»  I  cantiot  learn.'* 

•  I—  n  tr  -  —" 

ChAP.  XII. 

jbEFEAt  Of  THE  INDIANS  BY  GEN.  JVATNE, 
August  20ih,  1794^ 

Cei^.  WAYNE  i'o  the  SECRETARY  or  WAR.  ^ 

* 

"  IT  is  with  infinite  pleasure  that  I  anjiounce  to 
you  the  brilliant  success  of  ihe  Federal  arn.y  under  m/ 
command,  in  a  general  aciion  with  the  combined  force  of 
the  hostile  Indians,  atid  a  considerable  number  of  tiic  vol- 
unteers and  militia  of  Detroit  on  the  20lh  August,  oa 
the  banks  of  the  Miarais,  in  the  vic'nily  of  the  liritisU 
post  and  garrison  at  the  foot  of  the  Rupids. 

The  army  advanced  from  Fort  Washington  on  the  15ih, 
»nd  arrived  at  Roach  De  Bout  on  tho  18ih,  and  the  19tl», 
we  were  employed  in  making  a  (cmporary  post  ior  thtt 
reception  of  our  stores  and  baggage,  »!id  in  reconnoitres 
ing  the  position  of  ihe  enemy  who  were  tncamped  befind 
*  thick  bushy  wood  and  the  british  f  rt. 

At  8  o'clock  on  the  morning  of  the  20. h.  lbs  cmy 
«g»in  fttivftnccd  in  columni  ^grccuble  lo  the  sLaading  ar- 


I ' 


— 178—  ^ 

dcr  of  the  march,  Ihe  legion  on  the  right,  its  right  flanfe 
covered  by  the  Miamis— one  britjade  of  mounldd-  volun- 
teers on  the  left  under  Brgadier-Cieneral  Todd,  and  the 
other  in  the  rear  under  Brigadier  General  Barbeb.  A 
select  battalion,  of  mounted  volunteers  moved  in  front  of 
the  legation,  commanded  by  Major  PurcE,  who  was  di- 
rected to  keep  sufficiently  advanced,  and  to  give  timely 
notice  for  the  troops  to  form  in  case  of  action,  it  being 
yet  undetermined  wliethcr  the  Indians  would  decide  for 
peace  or  war. 

After  advancing  about  five  miles,  Major  PuiCK'scorp* 
received  so  severe  a  fire  from  the  enemy,  who  were  se- 
creted in  the  woods  and  high  grasSy  as  to  compel  them  to 
retreat. 

The  legion  was  immediately  formed  in  two  lines,  prin- 
cipally in  a  close  thick  wood  which  extended  for  miles 
on  our  left  and  for  a  very  considerable  distance  in  front, 
the  ground  being  coveted  with  old  fallen  timber,  probably 
occasioned  by  a  tornado,  which  rendered  it  impracticable 
fen'  the  cavalry  to  act  with  effect,  and  afforded  the  enemy 
the  most  fjivourable  covert  for  their  mode  of  warfare  ;  the 
Savages  were  formed  in  three  lines  within  supporting 
distance  of  each  other,  and  extending  for  near  two  mile* 
at  right  angles  with  the  river.  I  soon  discovered  from 
the  weight  of  the  fire  and  extent  of  their  lines,  that  the 
enemy  were  in  full  force  in  front,  in  possession  of  their 
favorite  ground,  and  endeavouring  to  turn  our  left  flank  ; 
I  therefore  gave  ordei"s  for  the  second  line  to  advance  to 
suppopt  « he  first,  and  directed  Major  General  Scott  to 
:«ta  9nd  turn  the  rijjjht  flank  of  the  Savages,  with  the 

^Ifble  of  the  mcnnled  volunteers  by  a  circuitous  route  ^ 
«t  the  ^{U^  titne  I  ordered  the  front  line  to  advance  and 
charge  WJD^  tfaiSed  arms,  and  rouse  the  Indians  firm 
ihrif  cwf^^jAi  ihc  point  of  the  bayonet,  and  when  up  to 
deliver  a  dots  and  well  directed  fife  on  their  back",  bl| 


!r>wed  by  a  brisk  charge  so  as  not  to  give  tliem  time  to 
load  again,  or  to  form  their  lines, 

I  also  ordered  Capt.  M.  Campdkll,  who  romrnanded 
the  lejjionary  cavalry,  to  inrn  the  lefc  flank  of  the  enemy 
next  the  river,  and  which  aflordcd  a  ravourable  field  for 
that  corps  to  act  in-^ail  lho»c  orders  were  ol>eyt'd  with 
spirit  and  promtitnde  ;  but  such  was  the  impetuosity  of 
the  charge  by  the  first  line  of  infantry  that  the  Indians 
and  Canadian  miUtia  and  volunteers  were  drove  froni  all 
their  coverts,  in  so  short  a  time,  that  although  every 
possible  exertion  was  used  by  the  ofiiccrs  of  the  second 
line  of  the  Irgion  and  by  Generals  Scott,  Wood,  and 
Barbbe,  of  the  mounted  volunteers  to  gain  their  proper 
positions,  but  part  ot  each  could  get  up  in  season  to  par- 
ticipate in  the  action,  the  enemy  being  drove  in  the 
course  of  one  hour  more  than  two  miles,  throui^l)  the 
thick  woods  already  mentioned  by  less  than  ont  half 
their  number. 

From  every  account  the  enemy  amounted  to  ^wo  thou» 
Band  combutants,  the  troops  actually  engaged  against 
them  were  short  of  nine  hundred.— This  horde  of  Sava- 
ges, with  their  allies,  abandoned  themselves  to  fiight, 
and  dispersed  with  terror  and  dismay,  leavin^^'  our  victo- 
rious army  in  full  and  quiet  possesion  of  the  iietd  of  bat- 
tle, which  terminated  under  the  influence  of  the  guns  of 
the  British  garrison. 

The  bravery  and  conduct  of  every  officer  belonging 
tp  the  army,  from  the  Qenerals  down  to  the  Eoftigns, 
merit  my  approbation. 

Lieutenant  Covington,  upon  whom  the  command  ©f 
the  cavalry  devolved  (capt.  Campbell  being  kiUtd)  t?tt 
c^own  two  Savages  with  his  own  hand,  and  Lieutenant 
Wf.bd  one,  in  turning  the  enemy's  left  Hank. 

The  wounds  rtceived  by  c:aptains  Slougm,  Prio*, 
Vam  Hansklaub  and  IUwuns)  end  Liet^teuams  M'- 


->18«^ 


nil 


Kknky  and  Smith,  bear  honourable  te&limony  of  ihetr 
bravery  and  conduct  ;  in  fact  every  oflicer  and  soldier 
who  had  an  opportuitily  to  come  into  action  dikplayed 
that  true  bravery  which  will  always  insure  succetis;  and 
here  permit  mc  to  declare  that  1  have  never  discovered 
anore  true  spirit  and  anxiety  lor  action  than  appeared  to 
pervade  the  whole  of  the  mounted  volunteers,  and  I  am 
well  persuaded,  that  had  the  enemy  maintained  their 
favoiiie  ground  for  one  half  liour  longer  they  would  have 
most  severely  felt  the  prowess  of  that  corps. 

But  whilst  r  pay  this  juut  tribute  to  the  living  I  must 
not  neglect  the  gallant  dead,  among  whom  we  have  to 
lament  the  early  death  of  ihose  worthy  and  brave  officers* 
Capt.  Campbell  and  Lieut.  Towles,  who  fell  in  tb« 
iirsi  charge. 

1  he  loss  of  the  enemy  was  more  than  double  to  that 
of  the  federal  army — the  woods  were  strewed  for  a  con- 
siderable distance  with  dead  bcdies  of  Indians  and  their 
white  auxiliaries,  the  latter  armed  with  British  muskets 
and  bayoneis.  We  remained  three  days  and  nights  on 
tb«t  banks  of  the  Miamis,  in  front  of  the  field  of  battle, 
during  which  time  all  th  •  houses  and  cornfields  wc;  e 
consumed  and  destroyed  for  a  considerable  distance  above 
and  below  the  garrison,  among  which  were  the  houses, 
stoics  and  property  or  ^  ol.  M'Kee,  the  British  Indian 
jigent  and  principal  stimulator  of  the  war  now  exibling 
between  the  United  States  and  the  savages. 

The  army  returned  to  head  quarters  on  the  27lh,  by 
easy  marches,  laying  waste  the  villages  and  cornfields  fur 
about  fifiy  njilcs  on  each  side  of  the  Miamis.  ll  is  not 
i<»proliaule  uul  that  ijic  enemy  muy  make  one  dcfcperate 
flTort  :;gaiBst  the  aimy,  as  it  is  said  a  reinforcement  Wf4f 
Urndy  expected  at  Fort  Miamis  from  Niagara,  aa  v/tU 
Ea  I'umeioas  tribes  of  Indians  I'ving  on  the  murgins  i,n  .' 
;*!and?  uf  the  lakes.    This  u  an  event  raihtr  to  tK  vn^i.- 


^lei— 


«cl  for  than  dreaded  whilst  the  army  remains  fn  force, 
their  numbers  will  only  tend  to'^confuse  the  savages,  and 
the  victory  will  be  the  more  complete  and  Jecisive,  and 
which  may  eventually  insure  a  permanent  and  happy 
peace. 

The  following  is  a  return  of  the  killed  and  wounded  and 
missing  of  the  federal  aimy,  in  the  late  action,  to  wit  :— 

Killed— 1  Captain,  1  Lleuicnunt,  3  Sergeants,  38 
privates— Total  33. 

WouNDFD— 4  Captains,  2  Lieutenants,  I  Ensign,  4 
Sergeants,  3  Corporals,  2  Musicians,  84  privates—Total 
100. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  your  moat  obedient  and  very 
humble  servant, 

ANTHONY  WAYNE." 

«  To  the  Secretary  of  War*'* 

The  following  circumstances,  which  took  place  pre- 
vious to  and  during  Gen.  Wayne's  engagement,  ate 
worthy  of  record* 

At  the  instant  Gapt.  Campbell  was  attempting  ta 
turn  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy,  three  of  them  plui)};i  d 
into  the  river — two  friendly  negroes  being  on  theopposii* 
side,  and  observing  the  Indians  making  for  the  shore, 
they  placed  thtm'jelves  on  the  bank  behind  a  log,  an^  as 
soon  as  the  Indians  approached  within  shot,  one  of  the 
negroes  fired  and  killed  one  of  the  Indians  ;  the  other  iwti 
got  hold  of  him  to  dr»'ij;»;  iim  out,  when  the  other  n^gio 
fired  and  k"iled  another  ;  ihe  remaining  Indian  got  hold 
of  both  those  dead  u  jii  ii  them  ashore,  when  the  negro 
who  killed  the  first  having  again  reloaded  firew  and  kifjed 
the  third,  and  they  ail  floated  down  the  river. 

Another  circumstance  is  atoo  r«;i«icd,  viz.  A  ^oidier, 
toon  al^tr  the  conclusion  of  th^:;  acYf6n,  proteeotig  n.\nts 
^ufeta  ce  from   the  camp,  met   mi  Indi«n ;  thvy  4iv;ac»c<t 


^Rti 


H*'. 


j 

■ 


•ach  other,  the  soldier  with  his  bayonet)  and  the  Indian 
vith  his  tomahawk  ;  some  of  the  soldiers  passing  by  that 
way  two  days  after,  found  them  both  dead,  the  soldier 
with  his  bayonet  in  the  body  of  the  Indian,  and  the  In,i 
dion  with  his  tomahawk  in  the  soldier's  head. 

The  following  circumstance  took  place  previous  to  the 
action  :---A  Mr.  Wells,  who,  when  very  young,  was  ta- 
ken prisoner  by  the  Indians,  and  had  resided  several  years 
among  them,  had  made  his  escape  and  was  employed  by 
Gen.  Wayne  as  a  spy — The  day  before  the  action  he 
was  taken  by  the  Indians,  who  determihed  to  put  him  £o 
death.  Finding  it  impossible  to  escape,  he  informed 
them  that  Gen.  Watnb  had  not  500  men  under  his 
command  and  did  not  expect  an  attack.  On  hearing 
this,  the  Indians  attacked  Gen.  Watne  with  a  confidence 
inspired  by  their  (supposed)  superiority  of  numbers,  and 
were  repulsed  as  before  mentioned.  After  the  action, 
JMaj.  Campbell,  (in  whose  castody  the  Indians  had  left 

'.     Wet  Ls)  enquired  his  motives  for  deceiving  them  ;  he 
I  answered,   "/or  the  good  of  my  country," ---Vov   this  he- 

*  rt»ic  action,  he  was  unfeelingly  delivered  to  the  Indians, 
in  whose  hands  it  is  supposed  he  experienced  every 
torture  that  savage  barbarity  could  invent  or  inflict.— The 
Circumstances  respecting  Mr.  Welw,  were  related  by  a 

.^*ah  drumr-r  who  deserted  from  the  fort  to  General 

Way*je 

>k  council  of  Indians  was  heM  a  few  days  after  their 
defeat  by  Gen.  W^yne,  in  which  British  Igents  en- 
cieavored  to  nersuade  them  to  r.sk  another  action,  but 
ti«s  t^jPTrtusednb  do,  expressing  a  willingness  to  bury 
tk«  m^,  hatcnet  and  return  to  their  homes-their  loss 
they  acclared  to  be  200,  and  that  their  whole  force  at  the 
roRimencem^ent  of  the  action  amounted  to  1500  Indians 
r-^.  ^^>  --snadians.  Tiic  body  of  the  Collector  of  Niagara 
hmad  among  the  iiajn. 


■5V 


% 


..*' 


CONCLUSION, 

INNUMERABLE  were  the  instances  of  Sayagtf 
fcaiLarity  exercised  toward  the  defenceless  inhabitants  ot 
the  frontiers,  from  the  year  1783  to  that  of  1793 — we 
have  recorded  but  a  small  number  of  them,  but  a  num- 
ber  sufficiently  large,  we  presume,  to  convince  the  read- 
er of  their  enormity— not  until  those  unfortunate  people 
had  repeatedly  solicited  the  aid  of  Government,  did  the 
latter  consent  to  take  up  arms  for  the  protection  of  their 
defenceless  brethren  ; — when  every  pacific  measure  fail- 
ed— when  every  proposal  of  peace,  however  just  and 
equitable,  was  rejected  and  treated  with  disdain-^umi^n- 
ity  dictated  that  Recourse  should  be  had  to  mor#effectu- 
al  measures  to  put  a  slop  to  the  murderous  career  of  an 
unnatural  enemy.— Hence  the  commencement  of  hostili- 
ties by  the  AmeJrw'is.  and  hence  the  expeditions  of 
Generals  Harmkr,  Sc:'tt,  Wilkinson,  St.  Clair  and 
Wayne  ;— -and  although  two  of  the  former  were  defeat- 
ed with  no  inconsiderable  loss,  the  glorious  victory  of  tho 
latter  brought  about  the  desirable  e  t*  t— the  pnenr.y  wero 
taught  thereby  the  superiority  of  ih  vhites,  even  in 
their  favorite  mode  of  warfare— they  buried  the  hatchet 
and  sued  for  peace,  and  a  Treaty  (satisfactory  to  both 
parties)  soon  followed,  to  the  articles  of  which^  th^ 
fcave  ever  since  and  continue  faithfully  to  aHherw^^ 

The  following  list  of  names  of  the  various  Indian  n^f^ 
tions  in  North-America,   in   1794,   with    the   number  qf 
their  fighting  men,   was  obtained   by  a  gentleman  (Mr. 
Benjamin  Hawkins)  employed  ia   the  above  mentioned 
Treaty  :— 

The  Choctaws   or  Flatheads,  4500— Natchcs,    1|f€u- 
Chickasaws,  750— -Cherokees,   2500—Catab»»,  f50.*^iPi.. 

kashiws,  3*0— Oughtenons,  400— Kakapoui,  ioo-4Jel» 


I 


% 


i 


«warei,  SOO-^Shawanese,  300— Miamles  305-;.tJppfet' 
Creeki,  Middle  Creeks  and  Lower  Creeks,  4000— Cowi- 
tas,  700 — Alibotnas,  600— Akinsaws,  200 — Ansaus,  1000 
— Padomas,  500 — white  and  freckled  Pianis,  4000 — Cau- 
ses, 1600 — Ooages,  600 — Grand  Saux,  1000— Missouri} 
SOOO — Saux  of  ttie  VVoodi  1800-^BIanceB,  or  white  In- 
dians with  beard,  1500— Asinboils,  1500— Christian  Catl- 
xes,  3000— iOuiscousaS)  500— ^Mascotins^  500'~.Lakes^ 
400 — Muherouakes,  250 — Folle  Avoinesi  or  WildoatSi 
S50->Puans,  700— Powatamig,  350— Missasagues,  wan- 
dering tribe,  2000— Otabas,  900— Chipewas,  5000— Wi- 
andots,  SOO— Six  Nations,  1500— Round  Heads,  S500->^- 
Algoquins,  3000— Nepisians,  400— Cbaias,  130— Ami- 
testes,  550— Muckniacks,  700— AbinaguiS)  3jr0'— -Conat- 
>ay  Hurins,  200,— Total,  58780. 

FINIS, 


A 


•►»  *  ^ 


owi- 

1000 

ouri, 
In- 

van* 
Wi- 

otiit- 


Appendix; 


(Soy,  HARRISON'S  engagement  with  the  SAtJUSEi  on  thi 
Wabash^  November  7,    1 8 1 1  • 

WE  should  have  been  extremely  happy  to  have 
closed,  as  we  anticipated,  the  list  of  Savage  barbarities 
With  the  last  chapter  ;  but,  after  a  cessation  of  hostilities 
on  their  part  of  more  than  sixteen  years,  we  find  them 
once  more  collecting  in  a  formidable  body  on  our  fron- 
tiers, and  (instigated  by  a  bIood>thirsty  savage,  of  tho 
Shawanoe  tribe,  termed  "  The  Prophet")  commencing 
an  unprovoked  attack  on  th6  American  troops  stationed* 
thereon. 

The  conduct  of  tiie  Wabash  Indians,  becoming  suspici- 
ous to  our  governmentf  in  consequence  of  their  many 
thievish  excursions  and  hasty  preparation  for  an  offensive 
attack,  Gov.  Harrison,  Vith  1200  men,  (350  regulars 
and  the  remainder  militia)  were  ordered  to  proceed  from 
the  neighborhood  of  Vincennes  to  the  line,  and  demand 
of  the  Prophet  tide  object  of  his  real  intentions.  The 
troops  commenced  their  march  on  the  26th  September, 
and  nothing  important  occurred  until  their  arrival  on  the 
line,  where  they  remained  near  a  month,  and  built  a  strong 
fort,  which  in  honor  to  the  commander  in  chief,  was  cal* 
led  Fort  HarrIsok.— The  Indians  in  a  friendly  manner 
almost  every  day  visited  camp,  and  held  councils  with  the 
Governor,  but  would  not  accede  to  his  terms,  which  were 
that  their  leader  (the  Prophet)  should  give  up  the  pro- 
perty stolen  from  the  Americans,  and  send  all  their  war- 
riors to  their  different  tribes  ;— the  Governor  therefore 
determined  on  attacking  them.  On  lh«  S'Jth  October  the 
troops  left  Fori  Harrison  and  took  up  their  line  of  march 


J 


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2  APPENDIX, 

for  the  Prophet's  town,  where  tbry  aH-ivccI  on  the  6tlr 
November,  When  within  about  half  a  mile  of  the  town 
the  troops  formed  the  line  of  battle,*  which  the  Ind>an« 
perceiving)  sent  three  of  their  chiefs  with  a  flag  of  truce> 
begging  that  their  livaa  might  be  spared,  pledging  tbem^ 
selves  that  they  wguld  rat  takfC  up  the  tomahawk  against 
the  troops,  and  ihat  if  they  would  encamp  near  the  town^ 
in  ,0  morning  they  would  come  to  auch  terms  as  the 
Governor  should  propose.— This  lulled  the  troops  into 
security,  and  they  encamped  about  half  a  mile  back  of  the 
town.  Fifteen  minutes  before  5  o'clock  the  next  morning 
the  savages  commenced  a  furious  attack  pn  the  left  flank 
of  the  troops— but  a  single  gun  was  fired  by  the  centinels 
or  the  guard  in  that  direction,  which  made  not  the  lestsC 
resistance,  but  abaindoned  ih^ir  officer  and  fled  into  CMmpy 
and  the  first  n^  0  .  vhich  the  troops  of  that  flank  had  of 
the  danger,  Vvr,  r  om  the  yells  of  the  savages  within  a 
hhort  distancf  cf  ihe  line — but  eyen  under  those  circum- 
-  stances  the  men  v,^re  not  wanting  to  themselves  or  to  the 
occasion.  Such  of  them  as  wfirc  awake,  or  were  easily 
awakened,  seized  their  arms  and  lo{4c*  their  Ualions ; 
others  which  were  more  tardy,  had  to  contend  with  the 
eiiemy  in  the  doors  of  their  tents.  The  storm  first  lell 
iipon  capi.  Barton's  company  of  the  4th  U.  S.  regiment, 
and  capt.  Geiger's  company  ot  mounted  riflemen,  which 
formed  the  lef.  angle  of  the  rear  line.  The  fire  upon 
these  was- excessively  sefere  and  they  suffered  conside- 
rably before  relief  could  be  brought  to  them.  Some  few 
Indians  passed  into  the  encampment  near  the  angle,  and 
ooe  or  two  penelraled  to  some  distance  before  they  were 
killed. 

Under  all  these  discouraging  circumstances,  the  troops 
<r;)r.eteen  twentieth*  of  whom  had  never  been  in  actioa 

243plauded.    They  took  their  places  without  noise  aR<| 


# 


APPENDIX.  » 

teti  f '»f«)»ioA  4b  an  could  have  betn  frxpetted  trom  vc* 
tennt  ^«ced  %a  a  Muiilar  situation.  As  soon  as  t!  Gover- 
nor could  mount  his  hers*,  he  rode  to  the  a*^^  tlitt  waa 
ARadfe''  — he  found  that  Barton's  comp  njr  h(H  -^tifffered 
wvet^Iy  and  the  left  of  Geiger's  entirely  br  Un.  He 
anmediate^y  ordered  Cook's  company  ard  t  ptain 

Wenrmmh**,  under  lieut.  Peters,  to  be  br  .p  I'rom 

Ihe  cthith  *1  the  rear  line,  where  the  grc  was  much 
more  'Vnsible,  and  formed  across  the  a  :  in  support 
of  Barton  j  and  Geip^r*8.  His  attention  was  there  en- 
gaged by  a  •  eavy  firing  upon  the  left  of  the  front  line, 
where  wert  tned  the  small  company  of  Uniied  States 

riflemen  (then  nowcver  armed  with  muskets)  and  the 
eompanies  of  Baen,  isnelling,  and  Prescott  of  the  4th  re- 
giment. He  found  major  Daveiss  forming  the  dragoons 
in  the  rear  of  those  companies,  and  understanding  that 
the  heaviest  part  of  the  enemy's  fire  proceeded  from 
Aome  trees  about  fifteen  or  twenty  paces  in  front  of  those 
companies,  he  directed  the  major  to  dislodge  them  with 
«  part  ot  the  dragoons.  Unfortunately  the  major's  gal- 
lantry determined  him  to  execute  the  order  with  a  smal- 
kr  force  than  was  sufficient,  which  enabled  the  enemy  to 
avoid  him  in  front,  and  attack  his  flanks.  The  major 
was  mortally  wounded  and  his  par'  driven  back.  The 
Indians  were  however  immediate  and  gallantly  dislodg- 
ed from  their  advantageous  position,  by  captain  Snelling 
fit  the  head  of  his  company.  In  the  course  of  a  few 
minutes  after  the  commencement  of  the  attack,  the  fire 
extended  along  the  left  flank,  the  whole  of  the  front,  the 
right  flank,  and  part  of  the  rear  line.  Upon  Sptjncer'a 
mounted  riflemen,  and  the  right  of  Warwick's  company, 
which  was  posted  on  the  right  of  the  rear  line,  it  was  ex- 
cessively severe  :  captain  Spencer  and  his  first  and  se- 
cond lieutenants  were  killed,  and  captain  V/arwrck  was 
isaortally  wounded— those  companies  however  still  brarcly 


% 


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Sdences 

Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

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mtiotained  theif  poils,  but  Spencer  h»d  suffered  so  tii. 
vfticly,  and  having  originally  too  much  ground  to  occupy, 
the  commander  reinforced  them  with  Hobb's  company  of 
riflemen,  which  had  been  driven,  or  by  mistake  ordered 
from  their  position  on  the  left  flank  towards  the  centre  of 
the  camp,  and  filled  the  vacancy  that  had  been  occupied 
by  Robb  with  Prescott's  company  of  the  4th  United  Statet 
regiment.    His  great  object  was  to  keep  the  lines  entire, 
to  prevent  the  enemy  from  breaking  into  the  camp  until 
day  light,  which  should  enable  them  to  make  a  general 
and  effectual  charge.     With  this  view  he  ha !  reinforced 
every  part  of  the  line  that  had  suffered  much  ;  and  as 
aoon  as  the  approach  of  morning  discovered  itself,  he 
withdrew  from  the  front  linC)  SneJling's,  Posey's  (under 
lieut.  Albright)  and  Scott's,  and  from  the  rear  line,  Wil- 
son's and  Norris's  companies,  and  drew  them  up  uppn  the 
left  flank,  and  at  the  same  time  ordered  Cook's  and  Baen'i 
companies,  the  former  from  the  rear  and  the  latter  from 
the  front  line,  to  reinforce  the  right  flank  ;  foreseeing  that 
at  these  points  the  enemy  would  make  their  last  efforts. 
Major  Wells,  who  commrmded  on  the  left  flank,  not 
knowing  his  intentions  precisely,  had  taken  the  command 
.of  these  companies,  had  charged  the  enemy  before  he 
had  formed  the  body  of  Dragoons  with  which  he 'meant 
to  support  the  infantry  ;  a  small  detachment  of  these 
were  however  ready  and  proved  amply  sufficient  for  the 
purpdse.     The  Indians  were  driven  by  the  infantry  at  thp 
point  of  the  bayonet,  and  the  dragoons  pursued  and  forc- 
ed them  into  a  mavsh,  where  th^y  could  not  be  followedf 
Capt.  Cook  and  Lt.  Larebee  had  marched  their  <:omp^- 
nies  to  the  right  flank,  had> formed  them  under  the  ftreotf 
the  enemy,  and  being  then  joined  by  the  riflemen  oftligvi,;  ^ 
fla')Jb;,  had  charged  the  Indians,  kiUed  a  number,  aiU^igpli^- 
th«  rest  to  a  precipitate  flight*  ^    ^f- "^    ^  ' - 

i^heac'.toa  was  maintained  with  the  greatest  obstinf^cy 


APPENDIX,  ^ 

«ad  pert 2Terance  by  both  parties.  The  Indians  manifcHI 
ed  a  ferocity  uncommon  even  with  them— to  their  savag© 
fm  our  troops  opposed  that  cool  and  deliberate  valor 
v;hich  is  characteristic  of  the  christian  soldier. 

Capt.  Spencer  was  wounded  in  the  head— he  exhorted 
hia  men  to  fight  valianily~hc  was  shot  thro^h  both 
thighsj  and  fell,  still  continuing  to  encourage  them— h« 
was  raised  up,  and  received  a  ball  through  his  body, 
which  put  an  immediate  end  to  his  existence.  Captain 
Warwick  was  shot  immediately  through  the  body  ;  being 
taken  to  the  surgery  to  be  dressed,  as  soon  as  it  was  over 
(being  a  man  of  great  bodily  vigor  and  still  able  to  walk) 
he  insisted  upon  going  back  to  head  his  company,  al- 
though It  was  evident  that  he  had  but  a  few  hours  to  lire. 

There  were  about  179  of  the  troops  killed  and  wound- 
ed J  It  was  supposed  the  enemy  were  about  700  strong 
and  that  they  lost  about  400  in  the  engagement.  The 
day  proceeding  the  action  the  troops  set  fire  to  their  town 
and  destroyed  every  thing  valuable,  and  the  morning  en- 
sumg  struck  their  tents  and  commenced  their  march  for 
Vincennes,  where  they  in  safety  arrived  after  a  most  fa- 
::3;uing  campaign  of  55  days,  and  marching  the  distance 
pf  320  miles. 

ne  following  is  a  list  of  the  killed  and  wounded  of  the  armj, 
in  the  engagement, -^ 

Killcd^Ont  Aid  deCamp,  one  Captain,  two  Subalterns, 
one  Sergeant,  two  Corporals,  thirty  privates. 

Wounded,  since  dead^Oae  Major,  two  Captains,  twenty, 
two  privates. 

Wounded^^Two  Lieut.  Colonels^  one  Adjutant,  one  Sun 
geon's  Mate,  two  Captains,  three  Subalterns,  nine  Scr, 
jeants,  five  Corporals,  one  Musician,  one  hundred  8^^ 
two  privates. 

yqtplof  killed  and  wounded— 188,  ^ 


■  M 


AFPENDIX* 


l^i 


J^ames  of  Offiters  kitted  and  wunded^  a$  per  Generai  Retnmi 

General  Staff, 
KiUed^CoX*  Abraham  Owens,  aid-de«camp  to  the  com* 
mander  in  chief* 

Field  and  Staff. 
Wounded^\J\t\xX,  Col.  Joseph  Bartholemews,  commafid- 
ing  Indiana  militia  inrantry  ;  Lt;  Col.  Luke  Decker,  of 
do.  Maj.  Joseph  H.  Daviess,  since  dead,  commanding  a 
squadron  of  dragoons  »  Doctor  Edward  Scull,  of  the  In- 
idiania  militia  ;  Adjutant  James  Hunter,  of  mounted  rifle- 
men. 

United  States  Infantry^  including  the  late  Cafit,    Whitneys 

rijle  company, 
JTiMttirfpi— Capt.  W.  C.  Bean,  acting  major,  since  dead ; 
Lieut  George  P.  Peters  ;  Lieut;  George  Gooding  ;   En? 
aign  Henry  Burcbstead* 

Colonel  Decker's  detachment  of  Indiana  militia* 
Wounded — Captain  Jacob  Warrick,  since  dead. 

Major  Redman's  detachment  of  Indiana  militiai 
Wounded — Capt.  John  Norris. 

Majot  Wells' 2  detachment  of  mtunted  rijemcn. 
Wounded— -Capu  Frederick  Guiger; 
Capt*  Spencer's  company,  including  Lt,  Berry's  detachment  of 
mounted  riflemen, 
^i//<?rf— Captain  Spier  Spencer  ;  Firat  Lieut.  Richard 
McMahan  ;  Lieut.  Thomas  Berry. 


Copy  of  a  letter  from  Govornor  Harrison  to  the  Hon>^ 
Secretary  of  War,  a  few  weeks  after  the  action,  dated 

;ji  F/nc0nn««,  Dec.  4,  18  Uf 

^  Sir— <|I  hate  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  two  priA* 
eifal  CWeft  ef-<he  Kickapoos  of  the  Prairie  arrived  her« 
i<lttriiii|:.«J«{p»  on  tbe  evening  before  last.    They  iafcrni* 


APPENDIX;  f 

^  tlHit  they  c»»e  in  consequence  of  a  memge  frcJTrtiS 
Clncf  of  that  part  of  the  Kick.poos  which  had  joined 
the  Prophet,  requiring  them  to  do  so,  and  ihat  th# 
said  chief  is  to  be  here  himself  in  a  day  or  two.  The 
account  which  they  give  of  the  late  confederacy  under 
the  Prophet  is  bs  follows  : 

«  The  Prophet  with  his  Shawsnoes  is  at  a  small  Huro» 
fiUagc  about  twelve  miles  f.'om  his  former  residence,  on 
th,s  side  the  Wabash,  whei*   also  are   twelve  or  fift^e,r 
ttUPohs.     1  he  Kickapdos  are  encamped  near  the  TipDi- 
canon.    The  Potawatimies  have  scattered  and  gone  ta 
different  villages  of  that  tribe.    The  Winebagoes  had  alj 
sat  out  on  their  return  to  their  own  country   excpiing 
one  chief  and  nine  men  who  remained  at  theit  lormer 
tillage.    The  latter  had  attended   Tecuraseh  in  his  tour 
to  the  southward,  and  had  only  returned  to  the  Prophet's 
town  the  day  before  the  action.-'^he  Prophet  had  sent » 
wessagc  to  the  Kickapoos  of  the  prairie,  to  request  that 
he  might  be  permitted  to  retire  to  their  town— this  was 
positively  refused,  and  a  warning  sent  to  him  not  to  come 
there.     He  then  sent  to  request  that  four  of  his   nxtik 
might  attend  the  Kiokapoo  chief  here— this  was  also  re. 
fused.    These  chiefs  say  on  the  whole,  that  all  the  tribea 
who  lost  warriors  in  the  late  action,  attribute   their  mia. 
fortune  to  the  Prophet  alone.    That   they  constanlly  re- 
proach  him  with  their  misfortunes,  and  threaten  h\ik^ 
1.1th  death-that  ft i|||  are  all  desirous  of  making  thoir 
peace  with  the  United  States-ihat  the  Prophet's  follow- 
era  were  fully  impressed  with  a  belief,  that  they  coi.k! 
defeat  us  with  ease-that  it  was   their  intention   to  have 
attacked  us  at  Fort  Harrison  if  we  had  gone  no  higher-^ 
that  th^attaok  made  on  our  centinels  at   Fort  Harrison 
Wat  inteiided  to  shut  the  door  against  accommodMirm— 
that  thc^^!i|iebagoc5  had  forty  warriors  kiHeH  h.\  tUt  ac- 
ticn,  and;^  Kickapoos  eleven  and  ten  wounded-4h"<^ 


**n' 


%r' 


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8 


APPENDIX; 


rk. 


have  nerer  heard  how  many  Potairatamies  and  oihMC 
tribes  were  killed — that  the   Potawatomie  chief  left  bv* ' 
me  on  the  battle  ground  is  since  dead  of  his  wounds^ 
but  that  he  faithfully  delivered  my  speech  to  the  different 
tribes  and  warmly  urged  them  to  abandon  the  Prophet 
and  submit  to  my  terms.'* 

I  cannot  say,  Sir,  how  much  of  the  above  may  be  de« 
pended  on.     I  believe  however,  that  the  statement  made! 
M-  by  the  chief  is  generally  correct,  particularly   with  re-i 

gard  to  the  present  disposition  of  the  Indians.  It  is  cert 
tain  that  ocr  frontiers  have  never  enjoyed  more  profound 
tranquility  than  at  this  time.  Before  the  expedition  not 
a  fortneight  passed  over  without  some  vexatious  depre^ 
dation  being  committed.  The  Kickapoo  chiefs  certainly 
tell  an  untruth,  when  they  say  that  there  was  but  eleven 
of  this  tribe  killed  and  ten  wounded.  It  is  impossible  to 
believe  that  fewer  were  wounded  than  killed.  They  ac- 
knowledge, however,  that  the  Indians  haVe  never  sustain* 
cd  so  severe  a  d&feat  since  their  acquaintance  with  thtf 
►  white  people*  I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c. 

WM.  HENRY  HARRISON^ 
•  Sorti  Wm.  EusTis,  Secretary  ofWar^l 


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